HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-20-25; 8-c - Opioid Settlement Fund Spending Authorization Resolution and Approval of Budget Amendment #9-A 1
ORD-2025-014
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-c
SUBJECT: Opioid Settlement Fund Spending Authorization Resolution and Approval of
Budget Amendment #9-A
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Quintana Stewart, Orange County
Spending Authorization Resolution Health Director, 919-245-2412
PURPOSE: To approve the formal required resolution providing final opioid settlement fund
spending authorization for FY 2026 and approve Budget Amendment #9-A.
BACKGROUND: In July 2021, a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced the
National Opioid Settlement — a historic agreement that provides desperately needed help to
communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The State of North Carolina and all 100 counties,
including Orange County, joined the agreement. North Carolina is receiving $1,420,932,713 in
opioid settlement funds from 2022 through 2038. Orange County is expected to receive
$12,748,445 over an 18-year period.
In September 2022, the BOCC approved the appointment of the Orange County Opioid Advisory
Committee with the following charge:
• Discuss opioid-related health concerns and issues impacting the residents of Orange
County.
• Advise the Board of Commissioners on options to expend funds to prevent opioid abuse
and remedy opioid impacts.
• Plan and host an annual meeting open to the public to receive input on proposed uses of
the settlement funds and to encourage collaboration between local governments.
The Board also voted to follow Option A for the use of the settlement funds per the NC
Memorandum of Agreement Opioid Settlement.
At the Board's Business meeting on May 6, 2025, the Board discussed and unanimously agreed
on funding allocations for the five (5) community partners listed below, totaling $230,000 for
Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 — June 30, 2026).
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• Piedmont Health - $50,400
• El Futuro - $50,000
• Freedom House - $72,000
• UNC SHAC - $37,600
• Reintegration Support Network - $20,000
As proposed in the May 6, 2025, agenda abstract materials, the formal required resolution
providing final opioid settlement fund spending authorization for FY 2026 is attached for Board
approval.
This budget amendment amends the grant project ordinance as follows:
Opioid Settlement Fund($230,000) - Fund#27
Revenues for this project:
Current FY 2024-25 FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Amendment Revised
Opioid Settlement Funds $3,634,798 $0 $3,634,798
Total Project Funding $3,634,798 $0 $3,634,798
Appropriated for this project:
Current FY 2024-25 FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Amendment Revised
Piedmont Health $0 $50,400 $50,400
El Futuro $0 $50,000 $50,000
Freedom House $250,485 $72,000 $322,485
UNC SHAC $64,200 $37,600 $101,800
Reintegration Support Network $20,000 $20,000 $40,000
Lantern Project $337,967 $0 $337,967
NC FIT Program $143,500 $0 $143,500
County Vending Machines $68,000 $0 $68,000
Post-Overdose Response Team $244,020 $0 $244,020
Grow Your World $20,000 $0 $20,000
Transition Support& Recovery $20,000 $0 $20,000
Harm Reduction Coordinator $108,025 $0 $108,025
Unallocated Funds $2,358,601 ($230,000) $2,128,601
Total Costs $3,634,798 $0 $3,634,798
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Distribution of opioid settlement funds may support programs and services
that serve persons with Opioid Use Disorder or any co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
or mental health condition in Orange County. Budget Amendment #9-A reallocates funds from
Unallocated to award these projects.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and
children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual or
developmental disability.
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RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the spending authorization resolution and approve Budget Amendment #9-A based
on Board discussion and agreement at the May 6, 2025, Business meeting.
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RES-2025-023
A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA
TO DIRECT THE EXPENDITURE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
WHEREAS Orange County,North Carolina has joined national settlement agreements
with companies engaged in the manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of opioids, including
settlements with drug distributors Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, and the drug
maker Johnson& Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals;
WHEREAS the allocation,use, and reporting of funds stemming from these national
settlement agreements and certain bankruptcy resolutions ("Opioid Settlement Funds") are
governed by the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local
Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation("MOA");
WHEREAS Orange County has received Opioid Settlement Funds pursuant to these
national settlement agreements and deposited the Opioid Settlement Funds in a separate special
revenue fund as required by section D of the MOA;
WHEREAS section E.6 of the MOA states:
E.6. Process for drawingfrom revenue funds.
a. Budget item or resolution required. Opioid Settlement Funds can be used for a purpose
when the Governing Body includes in its budget or passes a separate resolution
authorizing the expenditure of a stated amount of Opioid Settlement Funds for that
purpose or those purposes during a specified period of time.
b. Budget item or resolution details. The budget or resolution should (i) indicate that it is an
authorization for expenditure of opioid settlement funds; (ii) state the specific strategy or
strategies the county or municipality intends to fund pursuant to Option A or Option B,
using the item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to identify each funded
strategy, and (iii) state the amount dedicated to each strategy for a stated period of time.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, in alignment with the NC MOA, Orange County,
authorizes the expenditure of opioid settlement funds as follows:
1. First strategy authorized
a. Name of strategy: —Evidence-based addiction treatment
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: _Exhibit A
Strategy 2
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy: $ $50 400
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1 2025 through End date June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program,project, or activity:
Piedmont Health Services, Inc. (PHS)will use Orange Co. High Impact Opioid Abatement
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Strategies funding in order to provide Medication for Opioid Use Disorder(MOUD) services
at no cost to a total of 36 new patients in our two Orange County locations (Carrboro and
Chapel Hill). As all MOUD recipients will have a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder, they
will represent a population which faces many barriers to care, including cost of care,
transportation, and stigma. Additionally, the majority of PHS patients represent low-income,
uninsured, unhoused, and other historically marginalized populations.
g. Provider: _Piedmont Health Services
2. Second strategy authorized
a. Name of strategy: _Early Intervention
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Strategy 6
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy: $ 50 000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program,project, or activity:
El Futuro respectfully requests support to implement its Orange County Latino Early
Intervention Program, expanding Community Mental Health Worker's (CMHW)
capacity to prevent and address substance use disorder(SUD) and co-occurring
mental health conditions among historically marginalized Latino individuals in
Orange County. Strengthening early intervention efforts, reducing stigma, and
strengthening community coordination will improve outcomes for Latino youth,
young adults, and their caregivers.
This initiative will train CMHWs in Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to
Treatment(SBIRT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to strengthen early
intervention efforts and expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate
services.
g. Provider: El Futuro
3. Third authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy: _Criminal Justice Diversion Program_
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: _Strategyl 0
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy: $ 72 000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date_-July 1 2025 through End date_June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program,project, or activity: _
Freedom House connects with individuals screened in the Orange County Detention
Center who have a history of Opioid Use Disorder. The Peer Support Specialist
assists individuals with getting to treatment, court appearances, linkage to community
resources and other needs to curb recidivism. Funds would cover salary/benefits, cell
phone service, mileage and training for a Peer Support Specialist. There is also
indirect costs (office supplies & space, clinical supervision, financial oversight,
assessment software licensing, insurance)totaling $5,577.
g. Provider: _Freedom House
4. Fourth authorized strategy
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a. Name of strategy: _Syringe Service Program SSP)
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: _Strategy 9
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy: $ 37 600
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1 2025 through End date_June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program,project, or activity: _
UNC Student Health Action Coalition (SHAG) is a harm reduction-based
organization providing sterile injection supplies, fentanyl and xylazine test strips; also
provides referrals to other social and health services for people who use drugs in
Orange County.
Seeking funds for Syringe Service Program (SSP) supplies, educational materials,
marketing, travel, and continued funding for paid Program Navigator position.
Desire to open a new SHAC SSP location to increase SSP access; current distribution
occurs at Interfaith Council for Social Service and University Methodist Church;
Hillsborough Pharmacy assists with storage needs.
g. Provider: JUNC SHAC
5. Fifth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy: _Early Intervention
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: _Strategy 6
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy: $ 20 000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date_June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program,project, or activity: _
Seeking support for additional mentor trainers to work with youth and emerging
adults (ages 13-20) navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and/or justice
involvement. Mentors serve as allies and peer support workers, and often have
personal experience with substance use, mental health challenges, and/or justice
involvement.
Mentors receive comprehensive training to recognize and nurture youth strengths,
utilizing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Core Competencies (recovery-oriented, person-centered, voluntary, relationship-
focused, and trauma-informed practices), active listening skills, SMART goal setting,
and motivational interviewing techniques. Recognizing the profound impact of
poverty and social identities on the youth we serve, RSN is committed to addressing
the root causes of inequity through culturally responsive and person-centered
services.
g. Provider: —Reintegration Support Network(RSN)
The total dollar amount of Opioid Settlement Funds appropriated across the above named and
authorized strategies is $230,000.00.
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Adopted this the 20th day of May, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board
COUNTY SEAL