County reluctant to spend opioid funds
Apr. 9—GRAYSON — Carter County Attorney Brian Bayes said the county is apprehensive about dispersing opioid abatement monies without clear directions from the state after Olive Hill's Center for Arts and Heritage requested $80,000 for roof repairs to salvage the city's arts program and public library at the former Olive Hill High School during Tuesday evening's fiscal court meeting.
The county currently sits on roughly $270,000 in opioid abatement funds after a national level lawsuit deemed drug manufacturers responsible for the opioid epidemic, which resulted in a $478 million payout for Kentucky.
By legislation, that multi-million dollar settlement was to be divided 50/50 between the state and local governments — i.e., Carter County.
Also, by legislation, that money can't be spent on just anything, as a statute dictates all expenditures must fit certain criteria, which Bayes said is poorly defined.
Bayes also said the state has formed a special committee to review all proposals submitted before making any expenditures, but that his requests have been denied in the past.
Of his declined proposals, including funding for bulletproof vests for a drug detecting K-9 used by law enforcement, Bayes presented doubt the committee would approve $80,000 to make repairs at the old high school.
Renee Parsons, speaking on behalf of the former historical society, said there had been requests in the past and reminded the court the repair wouldn't take the entirety of the funds and would ensure the longevity of the arts in Olive Hill as the public school systems had undergone significant cuts to its theater and music departments.
The former Olive Hill High School also houses the Olive Hill branch of the county public library, for which the fiscal court is also financially responsible.
Parsons said the proposal outlined the extensive programs available at the arts center and provided statistics that support combating poverty and the likelihood of avoiding drug use with after-school activities, which she said fit in the opioid fund requirements.
Bayes said he was still hesitant to give the court any legal approval, arguing the statute was "written terribly" and the county could be held ultimately responsible to pay back any spent funds if the commission ruled it didn't fit its requirements.
"The state won't tell us what we can spend it on," Bayes said, adding other counties have been "terrified" of having to pay back any opioid funds plus interest.
"Carter County can't afford $80,000," Bayes said.
Another in attendance brought up the library issue once more, pointing out the county also couldn't afford thousands of books and computers that are currently at risk.
Instead of the full $80,000, Parsons pitched just $5,000 for a structural feasibility study to avoid putting a new roof on a building that may not be structurally sound to begin with.
Ultimately, Bayes said he would have to have additional discussions and a guaranteed approval to prevent the county from liability if the project doesn't align with state spending requirements.
