Greene County staff report opioid settlement receipts, plan to fund family programs

Nicole, a county staff member, told the council the county has collected $40,000 in unrestricted opioid settlement funds and distributed a handout showing how payments so far compare with earlier estimates. “The top 1 is the unrestricted funds…we have collected the 40,000, which was what we were anticipating to receive based upon the spreadsheet,” she said.

Nicole said 2025 receipts were about $898 less than anticipated but noted those figures are estimates. She emphasized that some settlement funds are restricted and must be used only for specified abatement activities. “We are very, literally, restricted on what we can and cannot use them for, so we are always looking at opportunities,” Nicole said.

She said the county plans to direct a significant portion of funds to the Strengthening Families program once the county hires and trains a new program coordinator. Nicole named prior coordinators and the training requirement: “Jean Ann did it for many years… Carrie in my office took it over, but she’s unable to continue…Heather is going to take it over, and then Jean Ann’s going to help her to get her started.” The county intends to pay for the required training so the program can restart in the spring.

The update did not include a detailed spending plan or timeline beyond the training and relaunch of Strengthening Families; Nicole said staff are exploring options for restricted funds and will follow the allowable categories set by the settlement. The council did not take action on spending at the meeting.