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Saline County approves $50,000 in local opioid grants, recommends $16,000 to Build A Pro and $34,000 to Saint Francis/Ashby House
Summary
The county approved local opioid grant awards after staff said the settlement pass-through averages about $100,000 annually; the grant review committee recommended $16,000 for Build A Pro and $34,000 for Saint Francis in partnership with Ashby House, with $15,000 retained for response and $15,000 for administration.
Melissa McCoy, Saline County public information officer, told the board the county and the City of Salina receive funds from the state opioid settlement pass-through and that municipalities statewide average about $100,000 per year from the settlement. "We've received five applications by the deadline and those totaled $136,500 in requests," McCoy said, and the local review committee recommended funding two projects while the city and county retain portions for response and administration.
McCoy said the committee recommends awarding Build A Pro $16,000 to create a part-time specialist to help employers become recovery-ready and to place people in recovery into stable employment. "Saint Francis, in partnership with Ashby House, had initially requested $50,000," McCoy said. The committee instead recommended awarding that partnership $34,000 to provide limited housing supports, first-month rent assistance, and on-site substance-use assessment and counseling using existing staff.
Staff explained the funding is a pass-through under state law from settlements the attorney general secured against opioid manufacturers and distributors; counties receive a portion of the state's allocation. McCoy said the county’s share is variable year to year but projected to average about $100,000 annually over a 13-year settlement period. She also described program administration rules: awardees may request up to 25% of their award up front, with the remainder paid by reimbursement, and the city will be billed for 70% of local grant costs under the joint agreement.
Commissioners asked how retained funds might be used. Staff said roughly $15,000 was slated for grant administration and another $15,000 retained for response activities such as purchasing naloxone for the sheriff’s office or community corrections and for immediate response needs. Staff also noted that local entities may separately apply for statewide opioid grant funds administered by the attorney general’s office.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve RFA 2025-175 as presented to implement the committee’s recommendations; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
The county did not provide detailed line-item budgets for the awards in the meeting record. The board vote approved the awards and the staff-recommended retention amounts; no amendment to the awards was made at the meeting.
