Minutes 06-01-2021 Virtual Business meeting

Browse Search

11 Certain reports and resolutions from the local government's governing body will be available for public access on a statewide opioid settlement dashboard. For every fiscal year in which a local government receives, holds, or spends opioid settlement funds, the local government must submit annual financial and impact reports specifying the activities and amounts it has funded. The local government must maintain records of opioid settlement fund expenditures and related documents for at least five years. The State Auditor and Department of Justice shall have access to persons and records related to the MOA and expenditures of Opioid Settlement Fund to verify accounts and data affecting fees for performance. The Local Government manager is the point of contact for questions that arise under the MOA. The County may secure additional funds from the 5% county incentive fund if each municipality in Orange County also adopts the MOA. John Roberts reviewed the background information for the item. Commissioner Greene thanked John Roberts for giving a good summary of the item. She said the goal has been to avoid what happened with the tobacco settlement money. She said it is wonderful that all have realized that local governments are the front line workers, they understand how to deal with it, and they should be entrusted with the money. She said this money cannot be used for other causes without penalty. She said Option A is for high impact, and are simpler to use. She said many items on option A and B are things that Orange County is already doing. She said Orange County is a leader, and likewise North Carolina is a leader and a model for how to do this and how to get the money in the right hands. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a timeline by which local governments have to select which option they want to pursue. Commissioner Greene said areas in Option A are things can be done quickly, and without reporting. She said areas under Option B have a process. Commissioner Dorosin asked if options A and B are mutually exclusive. Commissioner Greene said no. Commissioner Bedford thanked Commissioner Greene and John Roberts for the work they have done and time they have put in. Commissioner Greene thanked the staff for their help. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the lessons learned from the tobacco settlement could be explained, and what this settlement is trying to avoid. John Roberts said the State was the recipient of the tobacco settlement, and did not give local governments control over the use and distribution of those funds. He said that the State used the funds for things that were not related to tobacco. Commissioner Greene said 80% of the money will go straight to the counties, 5% is called incentive money, which counties will receive if all local municipalities sign up to participate. She asked if there is a plan in place to get Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro to sign up. John Roberts said it is only required for municipalities with populations over 30,000, but he would talk to all of them for their approval. Chair Price asked if there is a time limit for getting approval. John Roberts said not specifically. He said North Caroline Association of County Commissioners (NCACC)just gave guidance. Commissioner Greene said the case has not actually settled yet. Chair Price asked if the municipalities have been involved.