Opioid Advisory Committee Meeting

The Burke County Opioid Advisory Committee convened on July 21, 2026, to discuss ongoing opioid-related initiatives, funding allocations, and strategic planning. Key procurement-related topics included the management of opioid settlement funds, with $550,000 allocated for grant making or an RFP process for community-based programs. The committee proposed shifting from a labor-intensive RFQ process to a lower-barrier letter of interest approach to streamline funding applications and better support community providers. They reviewed the status of various grants, including pending applications for mobile crisis expansion and recovery court programs, and discussed the selection of an architectural and engineering firm for a facility-based crisis center, with six bids received and a projected opening in 2028. The committee also approved the 2026-2027 funding priorities and planned to form a subcommittee to finalize strategic priorities and oversee the grant process, aiming to have contracts executed and programs operational by January 2027.