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Hancock County awards opioid-settlement funds to ambulance service, sheriff, fire departments and nonprofits
Summary
The Hancock County Commission on May 14 approved multiple awards from opioid-settlement funds — including $330,000 to New Cumberland Ambulance Service and $288,700 to the sheriff's department — all contingent on a memorandum of understanding tailored to each award.
Hancock County commissioners on May 14 approved a series of grants from opioid-settlement funds to local emergency responders and nonprofit programs, with each award made contingent on a signed memorandum of understanding.
The commission approved $330,000 to New Cumberland Ambulance Service for two ambulances and $288,700 to the Hancock County Sheriff's Department. Chair (S4) described the sheriff's award as covering cameras, two deputy positions and two canine supplemental salaries and said the awards would be "approved and contingent on the MOU." Commissioner Ogden (S6) clarified the sheriff's portion is intended "to offset a budget constraint on the sheriff," and confirmed the $288,700 would come from opioid funds.
Other awards approved by voice vote included $50,000 to the WVU Extension Office for drug-prevention work that will include school programming, $180,000 to the Firefighters Association of Hancock County (later amended to be divided equally among the county's six volunteer fire departments), $19,300 to Lehi This Child Ministries and $15,607 to Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Commissioner Chek (S7) moved to require the firefighter award be split evenly across the six volunteer departments; the amendment was adopted and the amended award was ordered. Chair (S4) prefaced the opioid-award agenda items by saying that each award would be "contingent on signing an MOU, and the MOU will be tailored to each award."
All opioid-related awards on the agenda passed by voice vote. The commission also discussed whether to set a timeline for a second round of opioid applications and ultimately tabled that item, with one commissioner recommending a public announcement and deadline to avoid claims of preferential treatment.
The commission did not record roll-call tallies in the transcript; actions were approved by unanimous voice votes during the session. The awards will proceed after the county finalizes and signs the required MOUs.
