BLUE EARTH– Chera Sevcik and Caroline McCourt, representing Human Services of Faribault and Martin County, attended the Faribault County Commissioners meeting virtually on Tuesday to discuss the usage of the opioid settlement funds Faribault County is receiving due to the $36 billion multi-state settlement agreement, reached in 2021, with manufacturers and distributors of opioids.

“The settlement payments are front-loaded and Minnesota is unique in that the bulk of the payments (75 percent) are going to local governments,” Sevcik said. “The funds are restricted to an approved list of expenditures (evidence-based treatment and prevention activities).”

By the end of this June, Faribault County will have received over $206,000 of payments being distributed. In five years, Faribault County will have had $446,000 in payments distributed.

“At the end of the settlement, on July 31, 2038, Faribault County will have had $806,000 in payments distributed,” McCourt noted.

Recommendations by the Stronger Together Coalition are to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) process that will allow for annual applications for the available funds.

It is also recommended that a review process be developed to review and score applications.

An assessment of resources, needs and community funding priorities related to the opioid settlement spending found the public was equally split whether to use the funds for treatment or prevention projects.

“Projects are capped at $24,000,” Sevcik said. “Anything over that amount would require additional reporting requirements.”

It was also noted that the funding for projects would be available on an annual basis and that applicants can reapply for projects that demonstrate success in achieving outcomes.

Following discussion, the board took the first step and voted to have Human Services administer and oversee the grant process.

The board also:

— Passed by a 3-2 margin a motion to approve a proposal by the Faribault County and Martin County Human Services to implement a 1.0 FTE (full-time equivalent) social worker position for the Local Homeless Prevention Act.

— Approved a resolution authorizing Kari Jacobson, Tammy Emery and Nadia Lane of the county auditor/treasurer office to make electronic funds transfers on behalf of Faribault County.

— Approved the request of Jacobson to attend the Minnesota Association of Auditors, Treasurers and Finance Officers Summer Conference.