NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County commissioners are set to discuss a potential memorandum of understanding tied to the proposed distribution of a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds.

Commissioners have scheduled a meeting with representatives of Family Care Excellence for 9 a.m. April 9 at the county courthouse.

During its March 26 meeting, the commission approved, by a 2-1 vote, an amended proposal to provide $100,000 in opioid settlement funds for Family Care Excellence, also known as Family Care Ministries, contingent upon completion of the memorandum.

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.

During the March 26 discussion, Commissioner Tommy Ogden said while he has no problem with the organization receiving funding, he would like assurances on the use of the funds as well as responsibility for maintenance of the building.

He said he met with officials from Family Care and still had questions about the request.

“I couldn’t get any facts, for sure,” Ogden said.

Commission President Eron Chek noted the county had received the application from Family Care in September.

Commissioner Paul Cowey recommended development of a memorandum of understanding as well as a reduction in the funding.

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.