Opioid Settlement Task Force | Oct. 2, 2024

The Kalamazoo County Opioid Settlement Task Force convened on October 2, 2024, to discuss funding recommendations and budget allocations related to opioid settlement funds. The task force reviewed budget scenarios, focusing on maintaining a stable annual budget over 16 years while considering investment strategies for the fund balance to maximize returns. They deliberated on grant allocation priorities, emphasizing treatment, recovery, and housing support, with a proposed distribution of 50% for treatment, 10% for recovery efforts, and significant attention to housing needs, including transitional and recovery housing. The group also discussed grant cycle frequency and administrative burden, favoring fewer, larger grants with simplified, trust-based reporting to reduce barriers for smaller nonprofits. The task force planned to finalize recommendations for the Board of Commissioners, including potential coordination with existing housing millage funds and ongoing advisory roles for community coalitions. Additionally, the mini grant application process was briefly updated, noting 12 applications received prior to closing.