Vernon County opioid committee declines two grant applications, reviews fund use and balance

The Vernon County Opioid Prevention and Steering Committee voted unanimously Sept. 17 to decline grant applications from the Amara Rose Foundation and LaFarge Methodist Church amid concerns about reimbursement procedures and overlap with existing county-funded programs. The committee also reviewed updates on previously awarded grants and heard that the opioid settlement fund balance stands at $364,894.02.

Committee chair Martha Olson called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. and the panel approved the June 2025 minutes unanimously. In discussion about the Amara Rose Foundation application, Dr. Martha Karlstad, a community member, said an hourly wage on the expense sheet "makes more sense" and raised concerns about long-term sustainability and whether the grant structure would effectively create a contracted-employee relationship. Amy Oliver, Vernon County grants manager, said reimbursements would require grantees to record time and activities. Following discussion, Dr. Karlstad moved to decline the application; Dr. Duane Koons seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The committee raised similar accountability questions about an application from LaFarge Methodist Church and noted potential overlap with programming already funded through the sheriff’s department and local schools. Dr. Koons moved to decline that application; Dr. Karlstad seconded and the vote to decline was unanimous.

Amy Oliver reported that the Knutson Library project has closed and that "they did not spend $6,000 of the funding; that will stay in the opioid fund," leaving unspent grant dollars available for future allocations. Roy Torgerson, representing the sheriff’s department, said McIntosh Library has used $5,479 of its award so far and introduced April Anderson as the program director; Oliver said the library’s first educational offering was expected to begin the week of the meeting. Oliver also reported an extension for the Next Steps for Change grant was approved.

Committee members discussed changing how some funds are allocated, including allowing the Vernon County Health Department to use funds as needed for events and program delivery rather than requiring a separate annual application. Amy Kleiber, Vernon County health officer, described continued distribution at public events; Oliver noted the health department has spent about $11,000 to date. Cassandra Hanan, Vernon County administrative coordinator, clarified that the opioid settlement funds are county-allocated and that transfers to county departments are possible, and she said monthly reporting shows how funds are used.

Hanan also suggested the committee consider models such as La Crosse County’s 10-year plan, which divides objectives into justice, child welfare and treatment buckets, as the committee plans longer-term objectives for the settlement funds. The meeting set the next session for Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. in the Vernon Sheriff’s Training Room with remote access by Teams. Dr. Karlstad moved to adjourn at 3:28 p.m.; Kristina Reser-Jaynes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: Dr. Martha Karlstad moved to approve the June 2025 minutes; Kristina Reser-Jaynes seconded — approved unanimously. Amara Rose Foundation grant — motion to decline (moved Dr. Karlstad; seconded Dr. Koons) — declined unanimously. LaFarge Methodist Church grant — motion to decline (moved Dr. Koons; seconded Dr. Karlstad) — declined unanimously. Motion to adjourn (moved Dr. Karlstad; seconded Reser-Jaynes) — approved unanimously.