Madison County approves $100,000 from opioid settlement to Turning Point contingent on MOU

The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a $100,000 award from opioid-settlement funds to Turning Point Evaluation Inc. for an opioid task-force project in the county’s schools — but the board added a condition: the payment is contingent on a memorandum of understanding or contract acceptable to the county and other stakeholders.

Diane (identified in the meeting as a task-force participant) told the board the Turning Point program had secured the three county schools’ participation and had matched the county’s proposed contribution with in-kind and other funding. "We got them all on board using professional counselors called Turning Point," she said, describing the proposal as a drawdown/reimbursement arrangement where Turning Point would submit bills and the county would reimburse approved expenses.

Several supervisors said they supported the program’s objectives but wanted legal protections in place before disbursing funds. One supervisor requested an indemnification clause and emphasized that the county must protect itself if bills are submitted before contract terms are finalized. Task-force and school representatives pressed for urgency, saying the program was time-sensitive and training already under way.

To reconcile the concerns, the board amended the resolution: approve the $100,000 award contingent on an MOU (or contract) agreed on by the stakeholders and reviewed by county counsel. The amended motion passed by oral vote. Board members directed county legal staff to expedite review so the program can start without undue delay.