Houston County committee tables $30,000 recovery-center furnishings request pending accountability details

A Houston County committee on an unspecified date deferred action on an application from April Clark seeking $30,000 to furnish rooms at a proposed neighborhood recovery center, citing concerns about accountability and whether county residents would directly benefit.

Committee members questioned whether furniture and appliances are allowable uses of opioid-recovery funds and whether the application contained sufficient guarantees that Houston County residents would be served. Speaker 1 said the applicant had submitted a memorandum of understanding but that the committee “would really want more of a contract arrangement” to protect the county and ensure funds are used as intended. Speaker 1 also relayed consultant Trevor’s advice that the county must be able to show a Houston County resident benefited from the expenditure or risk audit and potential liability.

Members pressed for specifics: how many county residents would be served, who pays per-person costs and how the $30,000 would be allocated. The committee noted the application’s stated maximum capacity of 72 and discussed transportation and referral pathways from detox and courts. Some members suggested alternatives, including awarding stipends to individual Houston County residents who enroll at a partner facility rather than funding furnishings directly.

Because April Clark was not present to answer questions, the committee moved to postpone consideration until the next meeting so the applicant or additional documentation can be available. The motion to table was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The item will return to the committee’s agenda for further review, with members requesting a detailed budget, receipts and contract language designating the funds and requiring accountability.