Ian, a representative of the opioid steering committee, told commissioners the county has opened an application round for opioid-settlement restricted funds and invited applicants from across Adams County.

"If you have a project that you're going to do in Adams County that the opioid restricted, approved uses, it fits within the realm of those, apply for funding," Ian said, adding the request window remains open until Dec. 5 at 11:59 p.m. and that grant proposals may request up to $100,000 ("obviously, less is better").

Ian said the steering committee simplified the application form to brief text fields and is distributing the notice through partners including Community Corrections and the county's drug-free coalitions. He said the county will accept applications from anyone proposing work in Adams County that meets the attorney general's guidance on eligible uses.

Commissioners and committee members discussed whether to use restricted settlement dollars or the county's unrestricted funds for some proposals. One committee member suggested using unrestricted funds for larger pilot programs to avoid limiting smaller agencies' opportunities under the restricted-category rules. County staff also noted the local JERAC committee and the opioid steering committee will review requests and make recommendations to the commissioners.

A county fund calculator presented during the meeting showed an estimate of available settlement dollars for the county (staff cited approximately $244,004.17 in a later discussion), though Ian said the exact totals and allocations will be confirmed by staff.

The steering committee encouraged potential applicants to contact Ian and partner agencies for guidance and said materials and the simple application form are available from the committee. The committee emphasized that restricted funds must follow the attorney general's limitations and provided a checklist of prohibited uses with the application materials.

Next steps: applications are due by Dec. 5 at 11:59 p.m.; the steering committee and JERAC will review proposals and bring recommendations to the commissioners for award decisions.