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Wilkes County sees improving opioid metrics as commissioners discuss a $200,000 challenge grant
Summary
County and town officials reviewed COPE Committee recommendations for roughly $1.8 million in opioid settlement funds, heard that most tracked metrics have improved, and discussed setting aside about $200,000 as a 'challenge grant' to seed new programs.
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met March 17 for its annual Opioid Settlement Funds meeting to hear requests from towns and community organizations and review COPE Committee funding recommendations. Chairman Hardin C. Kennedy presided as officials outlined program results and funding priorities for the fourth year of settlement disbursements.
Town Manager Ken Noland told the Board that Wilkesboro recommended nine organizations for funding and cautioned that limited settlement dollars mean careful choices are necessary. COPE Steering Committee members presented data the County uses to assess impact: COPE representative Kirstin Roberts said, "every single one of the stats, except one, for the first time ever was a green," and Interim Finance Director Zachary Lovette noted the County expects to disburse about $1.8 million this year (last year reported at $1.78 million). County Attorney Tony Triplett reminded the Board the annual meeting is required by the 2021 MOA with the North Carolina Attorney General.
