Craig Howell FUNDS PROVIDED – Hancock County commissioners, Thursday afternoon, agreed to provide opioid settlement funds to six area organizations, contingent upon the completion of memoranda of understanding with each applicant. Close to $900,000 in funds were approved Thursday.

NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County commissioners agreed to distribute nearly $900,000 of the county’s opioid settlement funds during their regular meeting Thursday, filling requests from six area organizations.

“These will all be contingent upon the signing of a memorandum of understanding,” noted Commission President Eron Chek, explaining each award will have its own memorandum tailored to the request instead of the county drafting a blanket agreement.

A total of $883,607 was approved as part of Thursday’s agenda.

Hancock County Ambulance Service will receive $330,000, the largest of Thursday’s awards. Commissioner Paul Cowey said the funds will be used for the purchase of two ambulances.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is set to receive $288,700.

Ira Aracich, the county’s finance director, noted the funds will help offset costs for the sheriff’s department, including the purchase of eight cameras, salaries for two deputies and supplemental salaries for two K-9 deputies.

Commissioner Tommy Ogden said the funding will provide flexibility for the department in meeting its needs.

“The sheriff needs flexibility,” Ogden said.

Another $180,000 will be provided to the Firefighters Association of Hancock County in support of the county’s volunteer fire departments.

“That will be split up between the six volunteer fire departments,” Cowey said, noting each department will receive an equal share.

Bless This Child Ministries will receive $19,300. The nonprofit is based in Newell and primarily offers food security and community support programs for area youth.

The WVU Extension Office in Hancock County is set to receive $50,000, which will be used for drug prevention programs in county schools.

The final allotment approved Thursday will go to Mt. Olive Baptist Church in the amount of $15,607.

Thursday’s awards follow a previous approval by commissioners to provide $100,000 to Family Care Ministries, also contingent upon completion of a memorandum of understanding.

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 outlining distribution of funds from settlements with pharmaceutical opioid manufacturers and distributors.

There is the possibility additional funds could be awarded later, although commissioners took no action Thursday to establish a timeline.

An item to set a timeline was included on Thursday’s agenda, but Cowey suggested it be tabled for now.

Chek said commissioners could consider each application as it comes in instead of creating a formal process; however, Mike Lucas, legal counsel for the commission, recommended a timeline and application process be used as in the first round of funding.

“That way no one can cry foul,” Lucas said. “You simply do a round two.”

Officials previously reported the county received nine applications by the December deadline for the first round of funding requests.