Council approves $75,000 transfer and moves to apply for opioid-settlement funds

The Orange County Town Council approved a series of fiscal and administrative items, including a $75,000 transfer and a plan to apply for opioid-settlement dollars.

The council approved Resolution 2601 to transfer $75,000 from EDIT to MDH after a motion, second and voice vote. Immediately after, council approved accounts-payable vouchers as submitted. The transcript records voice votes but does not include a roll-call or named vote tally.

Council members then reviewed an opioid-settlement participation packet and discussed possible local uses—examples raised included training for police officers (Indiana Law Enforcement Academy–approved courses) and continued annual support to a local nonprofit (Safe Haven). A council member moved that the town apply to receive whatever local share is available; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council directed staff to complete participation paperwork and to return with recommendations on whether to allocate funds to local police training or to continue distributing funds to Safe Haven.

Why it matters: Opioid-settlement funds create a one-time revenue stream with flexible permitted uses; the council must decide whether to use local shares for in-house programs (training, supplies) or to transfer funds to community providers. The $75,000 transfer and voucher approvals are routine municipal fiscal steps but affect near-term budget availability.

Next steps: Town staff will file participation paperwork to claim the local opioid-settlement share and return with a recommendation on allocation. Staff will also provide documentation and timing on the approved EDIT-to-MDH transfer and the accounts-payable batch.