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Commissioner Keigher - DHHS - Health Division - To Amend Approved Resolution 2025-155 to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds and Appropriate $668,378.00 (Year 1: $516,815.16, Year 2: $151,562.84, Total: $668,378.00)
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STAFF CONTACT
Abigail Newton - Assistant Public Health Director - DHHS - Public Health Division - 704-853-5103
BUDGET IMPACT
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Increase Opioid Fund Balance and Expenditures by $516,815.16 in FY26. No County Funds.
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BACKGROUND
The State of NC joined in the national litigation against pharmaceutical supply chain participants who engaged in the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution, or dispensing of opioid medications that have harmed the public. On June 8, 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation (Res. 2021-172) joining in the national litigation. Gaston County was awarded $40,520,354.00 in settlement funds to be received over a period of 18 years. To date the County has received $11,845,106.51 in settlement funds.
This Board Action, if approved, amends Year 1 funds to $516,815.16 and Year 2 funds to $151,562.84 with the total project for $668,378.00 in Opioid Settlement funds remaining the same. The continuation of Gaston County Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Scholarship fund (GCMATS). The GCMATS program was developed and implemented by McLeod Centers for Wellbeing and provides Gaston County’s uninsured/ underinsured residents with the opportunity to receive Evidence-Based Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder along with care navigation to address social determinants of health that may impact a patient' s recovery, the most important among these being financial insecurity.
Year 1 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026): $516,815.16
Year 2 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027): $151,562.84
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Spending Authorization Resolution and Budget Change Request (BCR)