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Opioid advisory committee opens grant round as city weighs use of settlement funds
Summary
The opioid advisory committee published a grant application due Dec. 1 to guide recommendations on spending Bangor’s opioid settlement funds. The city has received just under $1.3 million; roughly $650,000 remains available after initial allocations. The committee may seek a brief extension and is exploring coordination with Penobscot County.
Councilor Fournier gave an update on the opioid advisory committee’s work, saying the committee has opened a grant application process that will inform recommendations to the council on how to spend local opioid settlement funds. "That grant application went public last Monday and is due December 1," he said.
Fournier reported the city has received just under $1,300,000 in opioid settlement funds. After an allocation to public health for intensive case management and a small amount authorized for needle cleanup, he said about $650,000 remains available for potential spending. A finance calculation referenced by staff does not include interest earned on the settlement funds; interest may increase the available amount slightly.
The committee has been meeting every other week, has focused on transparency and conflict-of-interest guidance from the city solicitor, and intends to review grant applications and return recommendations to the council. Fournier said the committee may need a short extension to complete reviews and that councilors should consider whether to continue an advisory committee for decisions on future smaller annual settlement amounts (an estimated $150,000–$200,000 per year).
Some councilors suggested exploring a joint opioid commission with Penobscot County to pool resources and coordinate projects across jurisdictions. The committee will evaluate applications and provide a recommendation to council after the Dec. 1 deadline.
