Craig Howell DIFFERING THOUGHTS – Hancock County Commissioner Tommy Ogden, in front, disagreed with a proposal for use of a portion of the county's opioid settlement funds Thursday. The original proposal, for $800,000 to Family Care Excellence, was amended to $100,000, contingent upon the completion of a memorandum of understanding with the commission.

NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County commissioners may soon distribute a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds, but it will be based on completion of an agreement with the applicant and at a level lower than initially proposed.

Commissioners, by a 2-1 vote Thursday, agreed to an amended proposal to provide $100,000 in opioid settlement funds to Family Care Excellence, also known as Family Care Ministries, contingent on completion of a memorandum of understanding between the commission and the organization.

Originally, the agency, which operates a faith-based substance use recovery program in Chester, requested $800,000. Commissioners noted the funding was intended for construction of a new residential building.

Commissioner Tommy Ogden said he had questions about the proposal and had hoped he, Commission President Eron Chek and Commissioner Paul Cowey would discuss the issue.

“I proposed a couple of opioid discussion workshops,” Ogden said, claiming his requests were turned down. “I was uncomfortable when I saw it on the agenda.”

Ogden said he has no issues with the organization or its mission, but wants clarity on the building project, including the precise use of the funds if awarded.

“It’s a great organization. It’s nothing against them,” Ogden said.

He said he would like a public discussion involving the commission, representatives of Family Care Excellence and the county’s financial and legal officials.

Chek noted the county received the application in September.

“I’m just wondering why we have to delay this,” she said.

Ogden requested the original $800,000 proposal be tabled, but that motion failed 1-2, with Ogden in favor and Chek and Cowey opposed. Cowey then amended the proposal to reduce the award to $100,000 and make it contingent on an agreement between the parties. The amendment passed 2-1, with Chek and Cowey in favor and Ogden opposed.

Cowey said that while the commission may not be able to provide the full $800,000 requested, it can still assist.

“That would help to start the construction,” he said.

Chek suggested scheduling a meeting for April 9, at a time to be determined. Commissioners will hold their next regular meeting at 2:30 p.m. that day.

Hancock County received more than $1.6 million in West Virginia opioid settlement funding through the West Virginia First memorandum, an agreement between the state, all 55 counties and many municipalities setting terms for distribution of funds from settlements with pharmaceutical opioid manufacturers and distributors.

According to Hancock County Finance Administrator Ira Aracich, the county has distributed $2,500 of those funds to the Hope Dealer Project for advertising its recovery advocacy programs, including West Virginia Goes Purple.

In total, the commission received nine applications by its December 2025 deadline.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)