The Carroll County Board of County Commissioners voted Oct. 23 to fund a full‑time medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) coordinator for the county’s detention‑center MAT program using opioid settlement (restitution) funds.

Speakers from the county grants office and the sheriff’s office described the MAT program as a state‑mandated detention‑center treatment that combines medication with counseling and aftercare. The presenters said the program began in January 2023, expanded rapidly, serves hundreds of people annually and requires considerable staff time for clinical, reporting and warm‑handoff services when inmates are released.

Debbie Staniford from the county Grants Office summarized the history of the funding work group and said the MAT coordinator position was included in the plan approved by the board and the state in December 2023. Vicky McDonald, director of administrative services for the sheriff’s office, and Capt. Troy Stower described operational needs, including nursing care, medications, counseling and extensive state reporting.

A public commenter raised concerns about fiscal consistency, noting that in March 2025 the board resisted using one‑time fund balance to cover recurring school costs and arguing approving a permanent position with one‑time dollars would set an inconsistent precedent. The commenter said, “Consistency builds trust. Fairness earns respect, and transparency ensures that every corner of our government…are treated in the same integrity when it comes to spending public money.”

Sheriff’s office presenters and budget staff replied that the opioid restitution funding stream is expected to continue for many years. County budget staff said current restitution receipts and fund balances support the program now but said the county would reassess funding if settlement dollars decline in the future. A budget official told the board that if opioid restitution funds are exhausted, the board would have to decide whether to absorb the position into the general fund.

Presenters estimated the position’s salary at about $46,000 and total annual cost including benefits at about $90,000. Officials said the MAT program’s combined detention and aftercare costs are slightly more than $1 million a year and that opioid settlement receipts to date do not fully cover all anticipated program costs for the entire term of settlements; county staff said they will review anticipated Purdue Pharma settlement dollars in 2026 to refine long‑term plans.

Commissioners moved to approve using opioid restitution funds to add the MAT coordinator. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The board directed staff to continue monitoring settlement receipts, report on long‑term funding scenarios and return with recommendations if opioid restitution funds decline.