Livingston County commissioners approve RFP process for opioid settlement funds; recovery groups urge funding for local Alano club

The Livingston County Board of Commissioners voted 9-0 Monday to authorize a request-for-proposals process for spending opioid settlement funds, moving the county toward distributing money for treatment, education, harm reduction and related services.

The move follows public comments from members of the Livingston County Alano Club and other recovery advocates who asked that community-based recovery supports be included among funded programs. Commissioner Domas moved the resolution and Commissioner Sample seconded the motion; the measure passed on a voice vote.

County staff said the county will use a template RFP from the Michigan Association of Counties, tailor it for Livingston County and post it publicly. "I'll be doing that between now and April 14 when the resolution says it'll go out. I'll share that with you before we put it out," Staff member Nathan Garrett told commissioners.

Why it matters: the settlement funds represent a multi-year revenue stream that local governments can direct toward programs addressing opioid-related harms. Commissioners said they expect proposals on a range of interventions and that grants or contracts recommended by the county's review process will be considered by the board.

Public commenters, many with personal recovery experience, urged the county to include the Livingston County Alano Club among potential grantees. Lou Anne Lathrop, vice chair of the Alano Club's board, described the club's operations and its request: "I would like to request that the Livingston County Alano Club be added to the list of ... sent the request for proposal as defined in the resolution," she said, noting the group's 24-year volunteer-run history and its weekly meeting schedule.

Other speakers described the Alano Club's role in recovery. Jean Amador, who identified herself as a long-time county resident and Alano Club member, said the clubhouse provides social supports that helped her remain in recovery: "We need a club in Livingston County. It is our haven, a place we call home, a place we belong, a place we have fun, and most importantly a place we recover," she said.

Board discussion and next steps

Commissioners and staff said the RFP will be sent to organizations listed in the resolution and posted on the county website; commissioners may also request additional recipients. Garrett said proposals will be routed to the county's FAM (family and mental health) committee for review. The resolution sets an April 14 posting date; the length of the application window will be set by staff.

Commissioner Gross asked that legal staff review Exhibit E (the document that outlines eligible uses) and provide guidance on permissible and impermissible expenditures. "I would ask legal to review Exhibit E and then to maybe give us a write up on permissible uses versus impermissible uses," Gross said, noting that county staff should ensure decisions rest on a clear legal basis.

Commissioners and staff noted several practical points: there is no stated cap in the resolution on how many proposals may be funded and the settlement revenues will arrive over multiple years, meaning the county may phase awards. Commissioner Domas said the county will receive and review applications and bring funding recommendations to the board later.

Public-health context and community requests

Speakers cited local overdose data and service needs. Lou Anne Lathrop told commissioners that, in Livingston County, "97 overdose deaths between 03/01/2020 and 04/30/2024; 60 percent involved multiple substances," and appealed for competitive access to settlement funds to secure the club's facility and services.

County staff and several commissioners emphasized that the RFP process should solicit a broad set of ideas—from treatment to harm reduction and education—and that any eligibility questions would be resolved before awards were made.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote, 9-0. Staff said they will finalize the RFP language, post it on the county website and forward proposals to the designated review committee for vetting and recommendation to the board.