Barren County fiscal court approves $92,685.50 state opioid grant check for local recovery program

Barren County Fiscal Court on a July morning approved printing a $92,685.50 check from a state opioid grant to a local recovery program, after the program’s representative described services launched in May.

The funding is from a state grant administered through Frankfort and, court members said, is not drawn from local opioid funds. Judge Bird said the grant money is “coming from Frankfort, not any of our opioid funds from local government,” and that the county will print the check after the meeting.

Libby, a representative of the recipient program, told the court the group opened in mid-May and has enrolled about 63 clients. “We did open our doors mid May … and as of right now, since mid May, we’re up to about 63 clients,” Libby said, adding the program has helped clients with jobs, housing, transportation and referrals to inpatient treatment.

Magistrate Brad Gross moved to print the check; Magistrate Marty Kinslow seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Court members said the award is reimbursable state grant money and that no county opioid reserve funds are being spent for the payment.

The judge said the physical check would be printed after fiscal court and a photo would be taken with the recipient organization.

The court’s approval allows the county to complete administrative steps to transfer grant funds to the program; no additional county appropriation was identified at the meeting.

What’s next: the county will print the check and finalize documentation with the grantee and state grant administrators. The program representative said the organization will continue outreach and services in Barren County.