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Commissioners extend county contract for jail opioid program coordinator amid debate over MOUD nurse hiring
Summary
The board approved extending a contract through June 30, 2027 for a program coordinator supporting the jail opioid/MOUD effort, while commissioners pressed staff about delays hiring a MOUD nurse and whether opioid-settlement funds are being spent as intended.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners approved an extension of the countys service agreement with a therapy provider to continue a program coordinator role for the jail opioid treatment program through June 30, 2027, after a motion, second and voice vote. County staff said the coordinator has been providing peer support, counseling and re-entry services; the remaining barrier to full implementation is hiring a MOUD (medications for opioid use disorder) nurse contracted through Southern Health Partners to perform inductions.
Sheriff Mack described the coordinators duties and said the position was already operating under prior contract terms; the extension aligns the contract term with the previously approved opioid settlement budget. "She's working with peer support. She'll be working very closely with the MOUD nurse once that person is hired," the sheriff said. Board members sought clarity on invoicing and reimbursement: the county pays on a reimbursement basis and staff said invoices are submitted periodically.
Several commissioners expressed frustration that the induction nurse has not been hired despite months of effort, and asked if opioid-settlement funds were "sitting idle." County staff and the sheriff said many program elements (re-entry services, Narcan distribution, education, peer support) are in place and that only the medication induction component remains dependent on the nurse hire and the Southern Health Partners contract. Staff noted a $60,000 budget line was intended to cover the MOUD nurse and that committee members may choose to raise the pay or pursue alternatives if Southern Health Partners cannot staff the position.
The motion to approve the contract extension included direction that the county attorney review payment history to confirm compliance with opioid-settlement reimbursement rules before additional funds are expended. Commissioners approved the extension by voice vote; the motion was amended to include legal review and confirmation of prior payments' compliance with opioid-fund requirements.
Next steps: the county will ask Southern Health Partners to finalize hiring, explore hospital partnership if needed for induction capability, and the opioid advisory committee will consider alternatives for spending the settlement funds if the induction cannot be launched as planned.
