Dare commissioners approve opioid funding plan

A new Opioid Settlement Funding Plan for Dare County is in place for fiscal year 2025.

Over 18 years, Dare County will receive $6.2 million from North Carolina’s portion of the overall 2021 Opioid Settlement Agreement. All 100 counties and 17 municipalities receive 85% of the funds allocated to North Carolina.

Roxanna Ballinger with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, told the Dare County commissioners “we need to look down the road. Sustainability is the issue.” The county is now in the third year of the 18 years.

Dare commissioner and vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners Wally Overman reported on May 7, 2024, “the funds are frontend loaded.”

For example, in fiscal year 2024, Dare received $942,499. By fiscal year 2030, the payment is reduced to $15,821.

For fiscal year 2025, the budget calls for spending $370,000, right at the annual amount suggested, for the following programs:

– Peer support specialist: $68,000

– Recovery court case manager: $75,000

– Naloxone/test strips for community distribution: $100,000

– Social determinants of health: $12,000

– Linkage to care, Dare County Detention Center: $50,000

– Community initiatives: $45,000 for Changing Tides, $20,000 Dare Challenge.

Overman reported “treatment is important. We can’t function without Naloxone.”

As requested by finance director David Clawson, the commissioners adopted amendments to the Series 2023A Limited Obligation Bonds capital project ordinance and to the Series 2024 Limited Obligation Bonds capital project ordinance.

For the 2023A bonds, the amendments adjust the projects’ savings and additional interest earnings to be used for the 2024 projects.

For the 2024 bonds, the amendment changes the bond sources, additional construction fund interest and additional savings amounts from Phase One. It adds $106,690 for costs for the Manns Harbor project.

Four budget amendments were on the consent agenda. The commissioners:

– Accepted a grant for $74,978 for 911 portable radios.

– Approved additional estimated costs of $75,000 associated with engineering and agency coordination as a result of new permits received for Oregon Inlet. DEQ Shallow Draft Navigation Fund will match 75%. Dare County share is $18,750 from the appropriated fund balance.

– Approved increase in funding for Senior Games. The sponsorship money from local businesses and residents was more than anticipated for the 2024 games. In addition, the registration fees increased from 2023 due to the 26% increase in older adult community participation. Budget amendment is for $7,000.

– Increased container sales and container purchases by $20,000 to allow for the purchase of 16 dumpsters. This is the estimated number of dumpsters needed for the remainder of this fiscal year.

An additional eight items were on the consent agenda. The commissioners:

– Authorized signing a grant certification that the county has no local, state or federal tax debt. The last such certification was signed in 2022.

– Received a $5,000 mini-grant from Albemarle Regional Health Center. Grant is titled Partnership to Improve Community Health-Youth Involvement in Increasing Healthy Food Access. Peer Power program educators and high school students will mentor elementary and middle school students.

– Approved continuing a Motorola service agreement with Motorola Solutions for $597,551.43.

– Agreed to purchase a subscription to DropCountr Inc. to allow water customers to interact directly with water accounts and be alerted to leaks or troubles with water service. A one-time fee of $9,400 for base installation and additional fees of $36,000 appear on the contract.

– Approved signing a contract with the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative for the installation of two security lights at the Burrus Field in Buxton.

– Approved a five-year copier lease with Systel Business Equipment and Dare County Library.

– Adopted a local governmental resolution to accept a $25,000 grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The funds will be used for local law enforcement overtime for highway safety.

– Adopted a local governmental resolution to accept a $30,000 grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The funds will be used for local law enforcement liaison traffic safety.

The commissioners made these appointments:

– Veterans Advisory Commission: reappointed Dr. Kevin Wallace and Justin O’Sullivan.

– Zoning Board of Adjustment: reappointed Jay Hart.

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