Martin County approves joining state opioid-settlement memorandum to direct funds locally

Martin County’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution May 12 to sign the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement that governs how any national opioid-settlement funds will be split and spent in the state.

The board’s action authorizes the county manager or county attorney to take steps necessary to receive the county’s share of settlement proceeds and to execute paperwork required under the MOA. Under the agreement framework explained to the board, roughly 80% of North Carolina’s allocation would flow to local governments while 15% would remain with the state; an additional 5% incentive pool is available under specified conditions.

Why it matters: county leaders said the MOA aims to channel settlement money quickly into locally managed, evidence-based responses to opioid misuse, including treatment, recovery housing and post‑overdose response teams. Chairman Ronnie Smith told the board that the settlement funding “could support some of the things the NC Association of County Commissioners has been pushing for,” and urged prompt participation to maximize local allocations.

The MOA offers two paths for using funds. Option A allows local governments to deploy funds directly for a shorter list of evidence-based programs (drug treatment, naloxone distribution, recovery support, criminal-justice diversion, reentry services and similar interventions). Option B allows access to a broader range of uses but requires a collaborative local strategic planning process involving multiple stakeholders before funds are committed.

Board members emphasized the advantage of signing the MOA quickly. County staff explained that under the allocation model negotiated at the national level, prompt participation by all counties and qualifying municipalities would maximize local shares. The county resolution also directs that a copy of the signed MOA be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Justice and the NCACC, consistent with the MOA instructions.

What the resolution does not do: it does not appropriate any settlement dollars or identify specific local programs to receive funding. Those spending decisions will depend on future allocations and, for Option B strategies, on local strategic planning and stakeholder input.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the resolution and to authorize county officials to accept settlement funds and execute related documents.