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Opioid Abatement Authority approves equitable distribution policy and tightens grant acceptance rules
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Summary
The Opioid Abatement Authority board approved an equitable distribution policy and updated grant terms that set acceptance and documentation deadlines for awards; staff said the changes aim to reduce a backlog that has delayed transfers to localities.
The Opioid Abatement Authority on Wednesday approved a policy intended to promote geographic equity in grant awards and new rules setting firm timelines for award acceptance and required documentation.
The board voted to adopt the equitable distribution policy after Executive Director Tony McDowell told directors the state code requires geographic fairness but that some regions do not apply for awards, limiting the authority's ability to balance funding. "We'll do the best we can to come up with a equitable policy, but it's contingent on applications coming in," McDowell said.
Why it matters: board members said delays in acceptance and documentation after awards have slowed fund transfers to cities and counties. Charlie Liscum, OAA director of operations, said only 27% of city and county awardees had completed the necessary steps to receive funds as of last week. "You have a small staff at the OAA, and this is killing our folks, this backlog," McDowell said, urging changes to terms and conditions and outreach to speed uptake.
What the board approved: staff presented updated grant terms and conditions covering award acceptance windows and compliance processes. For awards that begin at the start of a performance period, applicants will have 90 days to formally accept and 120 days to submit contingency documentation (for in-year awards and amendments the periods are 60 and 90 days, respectively). Failure to meet deadlines could lead to rescission, reduced award amounts or reapplication opportunities; the executive director can grant extensions in limited cases.
The board also approved provisions clarifying fiscal-agent responsibilities for cooperative partnerships, tighter subrecipient and vendor monitoring, and annual reporting requirements. Staff noted an adjusted annual-report deadline of Oct. 1 (an extension from Sept. 1) to accommodate local timelines.
Grants activity: Dr. Thomason reported that the grants committee approved awards for 38 projects across 18 state agencies totaling $14,000,000 and approved several amendments and two new city and county awards (the transcript lists the new awards aggregation as "around $81,085.50"). Board members also noted that 68 localities have met the OAA "gold standard" designation and that more are expected before the application window closes in March.
Next steps: staff will post updated terms and supporting materials on the OAA website and run an early-year informational session to walk local officials through the changes. The accepted revisions will take effect for awards beginning on or after July 1, 2026.
The board approved the equitable distribution policy and the updated terms and conditions by voice votes during the meeting.
