County Commission considers additional funding for drug court

Last Monday’s meeting agenda planned for the commission to review financial business with the County Collector and current fuel bids for road and bridge work. Thursday’s agenda initially planned for the commission to review accounts payable and recognize guests—it was later amended to include meeting with representatives from the drug court to consider additional funding for their rehabilitation program.

 

At the Thursday meeting, the commissioners opened by discussing a recent issue with the US Forest Service related to road ownership. Members then talked about the upcoming winter weather and whether they would use vehicles to clear out ice and snow. Following this, the commission welcomed several guests, including Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hutchings and two representatives from the drug court. At the time of the meeting, the county had received approximately $127,000 in additional funding due to a lawsuit filed years ago against several pharmaceutical companies. Commission members heard arguments from the drug court representatives as to how that money could be used to support their rehabilitation program. After concluding this discussion, the commissioners indicated that they planned on establishing a grant in the form of a contract using the money. 

 

Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton was absent from Thursday’s meeting.