Board rejects $15,000 opioid-settlement training request after debate over travel and scope

The Richland County Board rejected a request to award $15,000 in opioid-settlement funds to the regional treatment court for continuing education after several supervisors objected to funding travel for a 10-person team.

The resolution (24-99) offered $15,000 to the treatment court for continuing education to be used by Dec. 31, 2025. During discussion multiple supervisors said they were uncomfortable with funding travel for all 10 team members to attend a national conference in Florida, arguing travel could be reduced to sending fewer people or using local training. "I voted against this because, in any form, I believe that sending 10 people to Florida is... we just don't do that," one supervisor said during debate (speaker 2). Another supervisor said the committee had been divided and suggested the award could better support local training.

Supporters of the treatment court described prior committee discussions and explained the team felt it was important for the entire unit to attend. Committee representatives said the $15,000 was intended as continuing-education support and could be used flexibly; "it could be applied to all the people attending," a presenter said.

After discussion the board conducted a roll-call at the request of members. The clerk recorded the vote as five in favor and 12 opposed, and the motion was defeated.

What’s next: Because the resolution was defeated, that specific $15,000 award will not be provided as requested. Board members and staff said the settlement-fund grant program remains in place for other requests and earlier allocations; the board may consider alternate expenditures or amended requests in the future.