Grand Traverse County weighs opioid settlement spending plan, debates foundation’s role

Grand Traverse County commissioners on May 4 reviewed a draft spending plan for opioid litigation settlement funds, heard a cash update and debated whether a community foundation or the county health department should administer and approve grants.

Mike Leahy of the Grand Traverse County Health Department said six wire transfers totalling $320,341.90 were received after the agenda published, bringing cash on hand to just over $1.99 million. He told commissioners outside counsel and the Michigan attorney general have signaled settlements with Purdue and several generic manufacturers that increase the county’s projected total receipts to about $6.4 million to be received through 2040. Leahy said staff will provide the settlement documents and additional detail at the Sept. 3 open session.

The presentation framed two spending “tracks”: Track A for county departments that deliver services and Track B to fund external community partners. Leahy said the plan’s purpose is to improve health outcomes for people most affected by the opioid epidemic while building sustainable programs that can operate after settlement receipts decline.

“Tr…