Macon County outlines ARPA/opioid settlement receipts and regional planning for spending

County Manager Derek Roland and Finance Director Lori Carpenter told the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 12 that the county has an anticipated $5,455,133 in opioid-related settlement funds to be received over an 18-year period, of which $614,350.99 has been received to date. Carpenter said the county has earned $23,733.46 in interest and currently holds $638,084.45 in a special revenue fund for those proceeds.

Roland said the county cannot spend the funds until the board adopts a resolution identifying how the money will be used. He said the county is participating in a regional planning effort with six neighboring western counties organized by the Southwestern Commission to develop a coordinated spending plan. Russ Harris of the Southwestern Commission said Omni Institute was selected to lead data collection and stakeholder engagement; a draft plan is expected in February and a final plan in June.

Carpenter explained the county’s current accounting of ARPA-related expenditures and transfers, and presented options from the settlement agreement (labeled Option A and Option B in the materials) that outline permissible spending pathways. Roland emphasized that local providers addressing substance use disorder should be included in planning and have “a seat at the table” as the regional plan is developed.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting to allocate funds. Roland said staff will continue regional coordination and return to the board with a recommended local spending resolution once stakeholders and the draft plan clarify priorities and permissible uses.