Randolph County approves $1.95M in opioid‑settlement reimbursements after debate over recipients

Randolph County commissioners on April 6 approved a second round of opioid‑settlement reimbursements totaling $1,950,000, awarding funds to 11 applicants after staff review and a recommendations process.

Assistant County Manager William Johnson summarized the program: awards are reimbursement‑based, expenditures must meet the state memorandum of agreement, and recipients are audited annually. The board approved nine applications in a block (amounts read into the record) and then addressed two items — Community Hope Alliance and the Randolph County Public Library navigator program — separately after members pulled them for discussion.

The block allocation (approved by motion) included funding for an adult day reporting center ($150,000), Bloom Therapeutics ($150,000), juvenile day reporting ($150,000), Keaton’s Place (split awards totaling $300,000 for recovery support services and recovery housing), Path of Hope (recovery housing, $150,000), Randolph County Detention Center (naloxone distribution, $150,000), RAND Detention Center MAT program ($300,000), and Randolph County Emergency Services ($150,000). Johnson noted awards are subject to MOA eligibility and reimbursement rules.

Community Hope Alliance: A motion to delay consideration for three years was proposed and failed 3–2. Commissioners who supported immediate funding cited program performance: the record shows 16,278 naloxone kits distributed and 6,447 overdoses reversed since 2017, and proponents argued broad naloxone distribution correlates with reduced overdose deaths and 911 opioid calls. The board then approved $150,000 to Community Hope Alliance on a 3–2 vote.

Randolph County Public Library navigators: Commissioners debated whether the library navigator role would duplicate existing nonprofit services that assist with housing, utilities and reentry supports. Proponents said navigators expand outreach and allow other nonprofits more capacity; opponents argued the county should prioritize non‑governmental providers. After competing motions to deny and to approve, the board approved $150,000 for the library navigator program by a 3–2 vote.

Board members noted the funds are being used to buy housing and support transitional services in multiple programs (the record includes a note that Keaton’s Place used foundation funds to acquire a recovery house). The county underscored that awards are reimbursable and subject to auditing.

Next steps: staff will manage reimbursements and audits per the state MOA, and recipients must submit eligible expenses to claim funding.