Rowan County committee recommends $179,000 in opioid-settlement funding to renovate house for domestic violence shelter

Rowan County's opioid-settlement committee recommended and fiscal court approved the use of $179,000 in opioid-settlement funds to modify a house that will expand capacity for a domestic violence shelter.

Cecil (committee chair) briefed the court on the committee's work and said the chosen property — offered by UK St. Claire — will be refurbished by Frontier Housing to serve displaced residents, many of whom the committee said are affected by substance use in the home. "They need a bigger place to go," the chair said.

The nut graf: The county has approximately $661,000 available in opioid-settlement funds but is proceeding cautiously because misuse of settlement funds can trigger repayment obligations. The committee said it had reviewed the proposed use with the Kentucky Association of Counties and sought to ensure the expenditure can be tied back to opioid-related harms.

Committee members and county leaders said they had previously authorized funding in concept but paused to confirm project costs and compliance. At the Feb. 18 meeting the court approved the $179,000 allocation to Frontier Housing to complete modifications; committee members said the funding will be used for renovations and readiness work to get the property operational as shelter space.

Ending: Committee leaders said they will continue to monitor costs and compliance and bring any further funding requests back to fiscal court. Officials noted the shelter house location is not publicized by the service providers for client safety and confidentiality.