Supervisors vote to redistribute opioid funds

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday not to accept opioid funding for the county.

According to Supervisor Chad White, the board voted to reallocate $11,904 to a wider regional area instead of using the funds specifically for Henry County.

These funds came from the investigations and acts of filing suit taken by attorneys general against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other related parties for their contribution to the opioid epidemic.

The Board of Supervisors sought out the counsel of the Henry County Assistant Attorney to review the settlement terms before making a decision on utilizing the funds for the county.

“We followed the advice of the assistant county attorney,” White said.

White summarized that the supervisors’ conversation with the assistant attorney concluded that the limitations for how the funds could be spent was too limited to benefit Henry County.

It is White’s understanding that the lawsuit had stipulations which severely limited the use of the funds.

“We have the good problem of not having that kind of problem [opioid use] to address in our county,” White said.

“By sending the funds back to the regional area, it can be better put to use,” White said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com