Craig Howell MORE DEBATE – Hancock County commissioners agreed to the distribution of more of the county's opioid funds, Thursday, while also approving memoranda of understanding for some previously approved allotments.

NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County commissioners approved a proposal to provide additional opioid funding to an organization which previously had been set to receive an allotment, while agreeing to memoranda of understanding for three other groups.

By a 2-1 vote, commissioners agreed to provide an additional $400,000 to Family Care Excellence, pending completion of a memorandum of understanding, with the funds set to assist the organization with the construction of a new male residential facility for its faith-based addiction treatment programs.

“We have given them $100,000 to get started,” noted Commissioner Paul Cowey, explaining the planned facility would have 40 beds, a kitchen, and congregation area among its features.

Family Care originally had requested $800,000 for the project.

Commissioner Tommy Ogden, who voted against the measure Thursday, expressed concerns with providing an additional allotment of funds to the organization, also known as Family Care Ministries, as there has not been a completed memorandum in connection with the original $100,000.

“We did this two months ago and they haven’t met the requirements,” Ogden said, pointing to what he said were incomplete drawings and details previously submitted.

Following the meeting, Ogden said he is not against the services provided by Family Care, but believes the commission has not received adequate information on the matter.

“I am 100 percent for treatment, but we’re putting the cart before the horse,” Ogden said. “Why award yet another 400,000 contingent, when for upwards of two months we can’t get any plans for the first 100,000 contingent? It was always 800,000, and now today at 2:30 somehow its 500,000. We need to simply receive a complete application of their desired building, an official dollar amount estimate, with material lists and labor costs, and then vote on that period. Complete application meaning actual building size, elevations, floor and site plan, project scope with renderings and utility locations. Family Care has some tremendous success stories, but I feel we’ve been treading water for two months.”

Cowey, though, said it was difficult for Family Care to fully provide details for the project without knowing how much funding would be available.

“It’s very hard to make an effort until they know what the award will be,” Cowey said.

County Clerk Karan Valenti also expressed concern with the lack of detail, saying she would have preferred to see a feasibility study on the project before any allocation was approved.

“I don’t believe that’s a fiscally responsible use of our dollars,” she said.

Commission President Eron Chek asked for clarification on the best way for any awarded funds to be spent on the project — whether to give the funds directly to the organization or to have invoices sent to the county.

Finance Administrator Ira Aracich said his preference would be for invoices to be submitted to the county, to ensure oversight of the allocation.

“I will always recommend the county pay the vendors directly,” Aracich said.

Chek asked for a meeting to further discuss the MOU with Family Care to be scheduled.

In related matters, commissioners approved memoranda of understanding with three groups also previously approved for funding.

Earlier this month, commissioners approved providing $15,607 to Mount Olive Baptist Church, with commissioners noting Thursday the funding will be put toward a planned awareness event. County Administrator John Klee explained the church will have to provide a report detailing plans for the event as well as any outcome.

In addition, the WVU Extension Office will receive $50,000 for its drug prevention programs in county schools, and Bless This Child Ministries will receive $19,300 for its community support programs. Bless This Child Ministries is part of the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network.

Commissioners Thursday also agreed to award a total of $156,000 in opioid settlement funds to the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office, to be split over three years.

“This would be distributed evenly over those three years,” Chek said, noting the office would receive $52,000 each year.

Commissioners opted not to take any action on a proposal to establish a timeline for considering another round of opioid fund applications, with Cowey saying it would be better to see how much funding is available before taking such a step.

Hancock County initially had been awarded approximately $1.6 million through the West Virginia First Foundation as part of court settlement agreements between the state and various producers and distributors of pharmaceutical opioids.