Kanawha County commissioners announced Thursday they will use an online application process similar to the American Rescue Plan application process. The opioid funds application, which will be available at kanawha.us, will also be available in printed form.
The County Commission will then vote on the applicants.
All application materials will be available to the public, and the commission will vote on which applications will receive money. County-contracted auditors will review the applications as well. The commission said at its Thursday meeting that commissioners will prioritize established programs over start-ups.
According to a news release from the county, applicants will be expected to provide:
Project timeline
Project budget
Project sustainability plans
Historical and financial information about their organization
Two years of financial audits
Approved uses
Applicants can apply for up to $250,000. Projects must be approved as one of dozens of options of approved uses outlined in the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement created to ensure funds are used to combat the opioid epidemic. This document will be available to applicants. Approved uses include:
Treatment for pregnant women and infants affected by opioids
Expansion of recovery services
Treatment for incarcerated individuals
Prevention programs
Data collection and research
Law enforcement efforts
Settlement funds
Kanawha County as a whole will get about $20 million. Of that, based on an agreement between the City of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and Kanawha County, the County Commission will get to distribute roughly $7 million and ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä will get around $10 million. The rest will go to other municipalities in the county.
Overall, West Virginia is expected to receive almost $1 billion in settlements from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. A quarter of the money is going directly to local governments. Most of the remaining funds will be distributed by the West Virginia First Foundation.
Commitment to transparency
At the meeting, Commission President Lance Wheeler said the county has been recognized by the state and federal government for the way the American Rescue Plan funds were handled. County Manager Jennifer Herrald agreed, saying she was told Kanawha County’s application method will likely be used as an example for other counties.
“There’s not going to be any executive sessions with this commission. We’re not going to have any back doors. None of this money will be spent if it’s not through an application,†Wheeler said, referencing the lengthy executive sessions already held by the First Foundation.
In other business
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the commission approved the following grants:
$100,000 for the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Sternwheel Regatta
$75,000 for a company that will build mountain biking and e-biking trails in Clendenin
About $15,000 for a new lawn mower for ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Northeast Little League
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