001the September 15th, 2025 regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners to order. At this time, I would like to recognize Commissioner Christina Helms for the invocation. Those so inclined to join with me. Heavenly Father, we come to you today with a humble and grateful heart. Many in our county, state, and nation are hurting from the evil events that have happened over the last several weeks. As we continue to mourn Benghazi and 911 as well, we also ask for your comfort, peace, and guidance. Please continue to direct this board staff to do what is pleasing to you. We thank you for your mercy and your grace even though we fall short too many times. We ask all of this in Jesus holy and precious name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please stand. >> Pledge allegiance
002to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The next item on the agenda is informal comments from the community. We have one person that has signed up for comments tonight. We will recognize the speakers um signed up for the informal comments. Each speaker must address the board from the lectern and begin their remarks by giving their name stating whether they are residents of Union County indicating the municipality within which they reside if any. Each speaker will have three minutes to make remarks. A tone will sound at the conclusion of your remarks. A speaker may not yield his or her time to another speaker. Speakers may not discuss matters which are the subject of public
003hearings and they must be courteous in their language and presentation. Restatements or repetitive comments by the same speaker whether at the same or separate meetings may be ruled out of order and terminated by the chair. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. Speakers may leave written comments and/or supporting documents, if any, with the clerk to the board. Okay, we have one person signed up tonight. Um, that is Jen Sanders. [Applause] Good afternoon everyone or good evening. um bringing the temperature down. We have a mayor that is inciting a racial civil war right now in our backyard. The history of Union County runs deep in racial injustices and we cannot pretend that it never happened or we will be repeating the same violent history. Attacking a private citizen on their own personal views whether you agree with
004them or not doesn't not give away doesn't give the an elected official calling for personal harm to that person and their family. Mr. Baxter had real death threats and a loaded gun being cocked with the caption reading with his name on it. We have two teachers who are currently being doxed right at this moment right now. I am asking you as the county commissioners to take a public stance against the violence that is inevitably happening and will and if we allow this behavior to continue, it will cause irreparable damage. Here's a question for you guys and the whole community. What happens if Robert Burns loses his re-election? It's a serious question. What is he capable of doing if he is on his way out? How far will he go for revenge if he doesn't get
005his way? To say that I'm terrified for the future of Monroe and for Union County is an understatement. The personal attacks on me and my family this weekend alone and my child at school who was called outrageous things is not only because we have different views, but that behavior is unacceptable. We are willing to allow him to throw a match in a field, but are we going to put out the flames before it spreads? I'm standing in front of you as a mother, as a citizen, and everyone here in the room that are watching online, in front of everyone, I am asking you to remove Robert Burns from his position before he ruins and destroys Union County. Thank you. Next on the agenda is item 25-562 NCAACCC heroic hands honore. I want to recognize deputy
006county manager Patrick Nyl for this item. >> Thank you madam chair. Uh tonight I have the privilege of recognizing Jared Steel Union County Park Superintendent for being honored as local hero by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. This recognition is part of heroic hands initiative which highlights the often unseen but deeply impactful work of county employees across the state. Jared Jared has served Union County for 25 years with dedication, leadership, and vision. As park superintendent, he has guided the goals and strategies for our county parks, overseeing programs and services that touch thousands of residents and visitors every year. His leadership is defined not only by what happens inside our parks, but also by the way he collaborates across departments and in the community. land use planning, community service, collaborating with our emergency services department,
007conservation easements, and more. Jared was recently recognized as at the 118th annual NCAACCC conference in Pit County, where county leaders across North Carolina celebrated his extraordinary contribution. Jared embodies what public service is all about, commitment, teamwork, and a passion for making his community better. Um, I've I've known Jared ever since I started with Union County Parks is fortunately one of the departments I have and Jared is one of the most humble men you will ever meet. Um, he's probably embarrassed to be here tonight. He's going to be embarrassed to come up here and get his picture taken. But, um, there is no finer gentleman in Union County. And I couldn't be more proud to be here to recognize him tonight. So, Jared, would you mind coming on up? Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Now it's time
008for consideration of the agenda and consent agenda. Are there any motions regarding requested revisions or amendments to either the consent agenda or the business agenda? Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'll make the motion that we uh adopt the consent agenda as published as well as the business agenda as published. >> Commissioner Helms, is is that a motion to approve the items listed on the consent agenda? >> Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. K. >> So, we have a motion. All those in favor say I. I. [Applause] We are now at the business portion of the agenda. The first item of business is item 25-570, opioid settlement update. I will now recognize Deputy County Manager Patrick Nylan, who will introduce this item before turning it over to staff for brief comments. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
009Um we are just over two years into the um 18-year timeline for the opioid uh settlement. It's a pretty historic agreement that um North Carolina, the state association, and Union County are working on. Um so we wanted to give you a little bit of an update on what's happened over the past two years and what's coming in the next strategic planning process. Um you can see the agenda. I know the packet is somewhat long, but we're going to get through it pretty quick. So um we're going to we're going to move through it. If there are any questions, just please stop us. Um before turning it over, I wanted to take the opportunity just to recognize a few uh few of our team. Um Janet Payne, our human services director, Jackie Morgan, human services business
010operation director, Marbel Anden, she's with the county manager's office, Stephanie Star, human services community support and outreach director, Anna Diaz, the public health epidemiologist, and Tracy Collie, our public health director. I will put these six people up against anybody in the state of North Carolina, and we will win with flying colors. couldn't be more proud of the work they have done, the work they continue to do. There is not a week a day go by goes by that they don't um have some interaction with this program. Um so we are very very proud and we can't thank them enough for what they do. Um before turning it over um I just want to thank our our guests for being here tonight. Uh, needy such dave such dava. Is that I was practicing it and I
011screwed it up. But she is with the North Carolina North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. She's been a invaluable resource for us in dealing uh with what is a complicated process. So we are very very happy to have her here tonight and she's going to go um go over from the state association standpoint uh just to give you a little bit information about the the settlement and kind of what's coming next. Nitty, sorry. >> Great. >> We're all trying our best. Uh, good evening everybody. Madam Chair, commissioners, it's such a pleasure to be with you all. Um, Jared, congratulations. I guess you left already, but on behalf of NCACC, it is such a pleasure to be here. Um, I am your from your county commissioners association. Um, staff team, thank you for the support as
012well. Um, but yeah, I'm here just to sort of orient us to the latest uh news on the national opioid settlements and what they look like here in North Carolina. Um, I will dance through sort of the requirements and try to sort of shape the boundaries and and sort of figure out what the container looks like and then staff will fill it in with all the goodies um with what you all have been up to since the beginning of the settlement. So, really a delight to be here with you all. Um, I'm glad to see some of you at our recent annual conference. So, great to see you again and um I am uh very I love this work. I hope you'll forgive me as I get a little excited about this, but um it's
013been a passion of mine. I've been in North Carolina for 20 years now doing this and it's been such an amazing opportunity to support our counties in this way. Um but I'm here representing um the opioid settlement technical assistance team. So I'm the director of strategic health and opioid initiatives with the strategic member services department within your association of county commissioners. Um and I have a whole team backing me up too in everything that I'm going to share today. But our goal with OSAT, as we affectionately call ourselves, um is to improve the health of North Carolina counties. At the moment, uh the sort of issue of the day is the national opioid settlements. And so we are here to support all local governments receiving funds um in all steps of the process. So we
014help them with understanding the legal requirements, the parameters and and sort of where the boundaries are and then through planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting. So every question from which way is up to existential questions of what in the world do we do and where do we start? So we're we're take all questions. Um and again are honored and delighted to be able to do this work with you every day. Our hope by the end of the settlements is that all people in North Carolina are healthy and that they have connections to supports and services within a culture of care. We very much understand that working at multiple stages of the social ecological model is what really will drive um meaningful lasting sustainable impact. And so all of the strategies that I'll get to talk about
015sort of touch on multiple levels of this model. I'm also here representing CORNC which is the community opioid resources engine which is a collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Justice, NCACC of course and the UNCC injury prevention research center and our North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. But the four of us make CORENC and essentially it's the in the infrastructure and the backbone or behind the opioid settlements. We've sort of uh just built up the machine essentially and are again supporting local governments. Uh DOJ is tasked with defending the MOA uh really enforcing the rules of it to make sure that we keep future payments safe for local governments, make sure that they um you know are continuing to fight litigation. We have a couple settlements that are still in process. So
016we're expecting some more funds to come down. So very much appreciate their work. Obviously, um, NCACCC and DHS are really focused on technical assistance and UNCC is sort of our data repository, um, and really helping us meet our promises of transparency and accountability for for the settlement dollars. But, uh, just a quick update, uh, North Carolina will be receiving over $1.6 billion over the course of 18 years. Uh, this began in 2022, so like we said, we're about year two or three in. Um, this is a really unique allocation model in that North Carolina through negotiations with the 555 committee, which was five county commissioners, five county attorneys, and five county managers with the Department of Justice, created this uh memorandum of agreement, which is the court order that sort of governs the terms of
017the settlements. But 85% of the dollars in North Carolina going straight to local governments. And we are like the only state in the country, I think, who is committed to doing the vast majority of money going directly to communities because whoever's closest to the problem is usually the closest to the solution. And you all know your communities way better than anyone at the state is going to know. We're also a really big state, right? So, every community looks different. And this allows for flexibility to really respond to the needs that are coming up here and to shape our response as things are changing. 15% of the money goes to the state of North Carolina through the general assembly and then they get to allocate it most often to regional or sort of statewide projects. Over
018the course of the 18 years, Union County will be receiving over $17 million. Um, this is a picture from the ncopioids.org website, which is your like go-to portal. So, if you ever have questions about the settlement, you can obviously always reach out to OSAT, but this is a great place to go. Um, there's a couple things about this picture that I want to point out. One is um that the money is being front-loaded. So uh local governments are receiving funds in sort of incremental payments. Um and that means that you know this is a collection of many settlements, right? So there's there hundred thousands of defendants across the country. Some of them can afford to pay it out in a shorter period of time. Um but some defendants are having to pay out over longer
019period. This is not a grant. It's not federal money. It's all from private litigation. Um, and so there is not an expiration date on the funds. That's the difference uh with typical grants that we're used to. Meaning that local governments do not have to spend the money in the year that they receive it. It also doesn't expire. And so that way we can sort of look out, you know, into the calendar and say, well, how do we want to sustain programs over time? Um, and how do we want to make really intentional choices um at the beginning to sort of get things going? Uh, so just want to point those point those out for you real quick. As long as we have money, then we have to report on it and all the terms and
020conditions of the MOA apply. Local governments have five broad requirements um that's uh described in the NCMOA. The first one is learning from lessons of the past with the tobacco settlements which um is to establish and use a special revenue fund. Tobacco settlements is the biggest settlements in our history. um this is our second and so we don't want to mix up the money with other funds and and not know the true impact of these dollars, right, which are really meant to save lives from opioid overdose, which is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50 or adults under the age of 50. Um and so this way we can track it a little bit better. It's just a little cleaner. Um and all local governments who are receiving funds have
021already done this and are are keeping keeping on top of the dollars, which is great. Um the second requirement is that local boards are to authorize spending ahead of time. This is very much about uh sharing, you know, transparency, sharing intentions. Um wanting to be responsive to community needs. So you all will see resolutions coming across your desks as your staff works through collaborative strategic planning to come up again with those strategies that are best responsive to your to your community's needs. Um but this is very much a requirement of the MOA. We're not allowed to reimburse ourselves for fund like for past spending. Um it always has to be for spending in the future. So that's just it's a note that DOJ is paying attention to. On the ncopied settlement.org website, uh there is
022a local spending plan dashboard. This is just a quick snapshot of which local governments of the 117 that have already put forward local spending plans. So 97 as of June. This website's updated quarterly. Um and so just want to sort of appreciate that local governments are being really intentional about putting their plans forward and then um publicly showing their local spending plans. This one is the more complicated part that a lot of our technical assistance helps local governments navigate. But in the NCMOA, which is very much alphabet soup, I look at the county attorney because they understand, but like there's the NCMOA, and there's multiple exhibits. Exhibit A, B, C, and a few others. Um, and so understanding the difference between the exhibit A and exhibit B is really key to staying within the universe
023of what is the settlements. Um, exhibit A is basically the list of high impact opiate abatement strategies that we know work. We have great examples of programs and services all over North Carolina um that are, you know, proven to to be good investments. What I like to think of as list A is that they're um closest to the people at risk of dying. So, it's really patient focused um and it's, you know, just good things to do. Exhibit B also a very good option. It's basically kind of taken from the national opioid settlements and integrated into the North Carolina MOA. Um it's a much much longer list of strategies. Um it's essentially includes the sort of ripple effects. So it also addresses systems of care and sort of provider networks and and sort of upstream
024things. Um, but there is a requirement that local governments have to engage in a collaborative strategic planning process. That's like 14 different steps listed out in exhibit C um, in order to unlock exhibit B. So before they can engage in exhibit B strategies, they go through a collaborative strategic planning process. Union County has chosen to do this. And so I think that's part of why we're here today is that they're going to launch the next round of collaborative strategic planning. Um, and so we're able to help with all those steps and processes. One thing I just want to point out, I get this question a lot. Um, but knowing that the uh it's a drug epidemic is very complicated. The supply is constantly changing. People don't always know what's in the supply. It's always some
025new drug that's popping up. I understand that um most people are dying because of poly substance use whether they know it or not. But because these are the national opioid settlements against, you know, drug manufacturers, distributors, um we really do need to stay within the bounds of what the national opioid settlements are to focus on people who um are experiencing opioid use disorder or have a history of opioid use. I mean, I I get it, right? The the defendants were like, "Our bad, we messed up when we were taking responsibility for it, but we can't solve all the problems of the world, so we really need to rein it in and just make sure we stay focused on the drug that is killing the most people." Um and so that there is an acknowledgement that
026um we do need to say, you know, yes, you might have a history of opioid use and you might also have other mental health conditions. So we'll treat and care for the whole person, but we really do need to keep within opioids as the main point. This is the list of um high impact opioid abatement strategies. All of these strategies are also in exhibit B. Um but not everything in B is an A. So, just for sake of time, I'll I'll just sort of dance through these strategies to orient you to the language so that when uh our wonderful team who's backing me up with big smiles, thank you so much. Um can talk a little bit about what we're doing here. Um I'll just sort of put it in context. Um having done this
027work in North Carolina for a really long time, I'm really grateful for this list. Uh and just the framing in North Carolina. The 555 committee did a really great job of acknowledging that um we need to address the issue from lots of different angles. So uh the first strategy is collaborative strategic planning. This is really acknowledging that we need staff infrastructure. We need support and because it's a dynamic everchanging epidemic, we have to be responsive to those needs. Um number two is evidence-based addiction treatment. And this is according to the American I always get these letters mixed up. The ASAM Addiction Society or American Society for Addiction Medicine y'all. Um I get the A's mixed up. But anyway, so um there is a requirement that we have to follow ASAM guidelines which means that we
028are offering medications for the leading cause of death. We actually have a cure which is amazing. So access to um FDA approved medications, methadone, bupinorphine and nrexone um is a requirement for evidence-based addiction treatment. Basically offering access and you know affordable access to medications um to keep people alive. uh medications really just reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings and keep people breathing really. Um three, four and five um recovery support, recovery housing and employment related services is really acknowledging that we must support people in the long run. So we have to provide sort of a foundation. You've all probably heard of Maslo's hierarchy of needs. No one can think straight if you don't have a safe place to sleep. And so, how do we do our best to make sure that those basic needs are met for
029people in recovery and people who use drugs so that they can be more clear-headed to navigate the complexities of life, being human, managing clinical treatment plans, etc. So, recovery support is very much about peer support, connections to community, making sure people have a place to be. Um, recovery housing very much about safe, stable housing for people who use drugs and people in recovery. It's much cheaper to keep people in the houses they're in. Um and so how do we do our best to sort of make sure that they're able to stay um through rent rent assistance or utilities? Employment related services is really about helping people find meaningful purpose and connect them with uh job opportunities. Um and again this is for people who use drugs and people who are in recovery. Early intervention is
030very much acknowledging that trauma is really the gateway to drug use and how do we do our best to support children and adolescence who might be showing signs of struggle. Mental health conditions often show up earlier in kids than drug use. And so it's our responsibility as caring, loving adults to notice when a kid's struggling or having a hard time and offering help after asking where it hurts. The lockin distribution um is part of the 7, eight, and nine is really about crisis response. We're losing nine people in North Carolina every single day to drug overdose. So we really need to keep people alive. Uh Nlloxxone is a first aid medication. It's over the counter now. It is available in all of ouries. There's a standing order for it. Um, and the point is how
031do we saturate our communities with this first aid medication so that we can keep people alive? Nlloxxone, the only thing that it does is keep people breathing. There are two mechanisms in our brain that basically tell us that we need to breathe again. One is saying there's not enough oxygen and another that says there's too much CO2. And when opioids overload our brains, it sort of shuts off these these switches. And aloxxone literally just like is more sticky to the brain receptors and knocks off the opioids and says, "Oh my goodness, we need to breathe again." And that's literally all it does. It's really cheap. It's really um been around for a long time. And uh we need to buy ourselves time for EMS to get there. And the first responders really in this case
032are people who use drugs and people who love them, family members that are nearby. Um and so we want to get nuxin into the hands of folks just like we have AEDs in all of our county buildings. um as a first aid response, you never know what someone might be going through. Um it's a really good idea to have nlloxxone available to post overdose response teams are essentially um acknowledging that people who have overdosed are much more likely to overdose again. And so in those like key critical 24 to 72 hours after an overdose, we really want to make sure that we connect people to services. So saying, gosh, that was a really scary experience. I'm really glad you're still with us. Um what services do you need? How can I connect you? and then
033linking them to care. Certain service programs are really um essentially drug user health hubs. Uh they are legalized in North Carolina in 2016, almost 10 years ago. Can't believe it. Um but we have decades of evidence that show that it reduces um criminal activity. They like help connect people to like five to seven times more likely to connect to treatment if they go through an service program. Um but they offer a wide variety of care and services including um navigating insurance and signing up for housing and jobs and um other resources. 10 and 11 and 12 are basically acknowledging that uh we have folks who are experiencing multiple complexities. So if you're involved in the legal system um you know there's criminalization of drugs and then also just like the challenges of navigating. And so
034in North Carolina, there was a study that says that people who are leaving incarceration, so that's our jails and prisons, are 50 times more likely to die in the first two weeks of being released and 18 times more likely to die in the first year. This is while they're under our care and probation and community supervision. This is while they're in our facilities. And so um that's really scary to think about. And so legal system diversion is really acknowledging that our jails were not built to be healthcare mental health facilities even though by default they unfortunately are having to do that. Um but really diverting people who have health conditions away from the legal system so that we aren't overburdened. Um and connecting them with care there. Addiction treatment for incarcerated persons are really about
035providing medications for um people within our jail and detention centers um in order to stay compliant with the American Disabilities Act. It is our constitutional requirement to maintain them on medications if they come in just like if someone came in with blood pressure medicines or diabetes medicines and insulin. We've got to like keep them on their medications. Re-entry programs of course is trying to ease the transition back to community, reduce recidivism, reduce costs and keep them in community programs and not back in the jail facilities. So big picture. The fourth requirement for local governments is to follow all reporting requirements. We are in reporting season, so please cheer your staff on as they're getting closer to the deadline of September 27th to turn in all of their reports. Um, but basically they um after board
036action when you all approve your local spending authorization resolutions um they'll submit reports to Corz uh which is basically again a look forward sort of a budget planning document. Annual financial reports are look back what did the county actually spend money on? Uh annual impact reports is did that money do any good? Um this is a great opportunity for us to really celebrate successes in the county and sort of elevate um the good work that you all are doing. And then if you as you all are choosing to go through exhibit B, there's an additional report um that you all will see at some point once the recommendations come through. All of these reports are also posted on the website. The last requirement is that all counties are required to have an annual meeting um
037at least once a year. The county invites all the municipalities within it to come join. it's open to the public and really uh the purpose is collaboration and coordination uh provide input for planning and progress and really just uh again that spirit of transparency um and moving forward because I sure hope we're having a different conversation in 18 years if we if we keep up the good work. So some resources for later. Um if you ever have any questions you're more than welcome to reach out to Ostat. Um if you have legal questions please reach out to DOJ, although we can happily help you get there. And then of course our partners at UNCC and DHS are also available depending on what you need. But I think I'm gonna pass it off and we'll hold
038questions for the end. Um again, it is such a delight to be here. I love doing this work. Thank you for the opportunity. Um and I'm just really optimistic and hopeful about what you all are going to do in Union County and what you've already started. So keep up the good work. >> Thank you, Nitty. And thanks to you all board of county commissioners for allowing us to be here tonight to talk with you about how we're going to use these funds, how we have been using them, and how we are using them to impact our residents lives for the better. Now that you have an understanding of the state's mandates associated with the use of the opioid settlement funds locally, I would like to share with you information about Union County's funding and the
039initial strategic priorities funded uh and funded partners adopted by the board during our first phase of work. As Niti mentioned, Union County slated to receive a total of 17.7 million based on wave 1 and two of funding for use over 18 years from 2022 to 2038. We actually also recently received a notification that a third wave of funding is going to be awarded that will be able to be used during that same time and the estimated amount for that third wave is 2.1 million. There is a possibility that future waves will come although none of them are expected to be significant. So, uh, for now, what we're showing to you is the 17.7 million, and once we have additional funds, we will update that as appropriate. Initial settlement payments and interest received to date is
040actually $6.64 million. The board placed this funding in an allocated uh and allocated budget in a special revenue fund to meet the state mandates. So, we're moving forward in accordance with everything so far, which is great. Uh, as Niti mentioned, the North Carolina MOA actually governs allocation, utilization, and reporting of the dollars. And everything that we spend must be used on abatement activities. And for the initial three years, a key thing that I want to make sure you all take away is that the funding for initial allocations as well as any future allocations is completely flexible. You all have total flexibility in determining how the funds are used to best meet the needs of Union County residents as long as the funding is awarded and spent in accordance uh with the state's guidance and adopted
041strategies to inform the initial recommendations for the board. A collaborative community approach was used which included a strategic planning workg group comprised of community partners engaged in prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This included the courts, Union County Public School System, Union County EMS, hospital system, law enforcement, higher education, academic partners, as well as face faith-based organizations and medical centers that provide treatment and recovery. The group met five times for a couple of about 90 minutes uh during late 2022 and the workg groupoup meetings were education oriented initially ensuring everybody had the same baseline understanding of the situation in the settlement and then the group transitioned to discussions and decisions about what to recommend to you all in terms of key strategies and a suggested approach to allocating the funds over time. The final work deliverable
042was certainly a collaborative strategic plan that did have both long-term and short-term goals and approaches to address the opioid issues throughout the county. The state requires actually that the uh that each community develop at least one or two population level metrics to help gauge progress. So as a part of the strategic planning work group's work, we identified or they identified uh a vision and mission as well as three initial high level goals and associated population level indicator measures as shown on this slide. The goals are first to prevent opioid use, second to reduce harm due to opioid and related substance use and third to connect affected individuals to the care and support needed. The group also determined seven specific core strategies to focus on for at least the first three years. I don't have those
043listed here, but in summary, some of those were uh to expand or increase funding associated with initiatives that are already underway in the county. A couple of them would require creation or development of new approaches for dealing with the opioid crisis such as our family treatment court and and veterans court. And then uh the strategy the the last strategy was actually to continue collaboration of different organizations and individuals in dealing with the opioid crisis. And that work is actually ongoing through things like our healthy union coalition and the ongoing substance use disorder committee. Ultimately um initial performance data associated with these population level indicator measures and core strategies is going to be shared with you in the coming weeks. I'm going to talk a little bit about that in just a moment. So once all
044of the strategic planning work was done, it was brought to you all and the board approved initially use of 2.7 million out of the first round of settlement distributions to fund eight initiatives as listed on this slide for the first three years of the county settlement. This funding would was to start in July of 2023 and end June 30th, 2026. Several of our funded partners are actually in the audience tonight and so I'd like to ask you guys to stand uh and be recognized. I'm not going to call everybody out by name, but I do think that that's worth applauding for a moment. [Applause] So, our settlement program includes multiple evaluation components. Collecting and establishing data and having a robust program evaluation plan will actually allow the community and you all, the board of county
045commissioners, to be informed when making future opioid settlement decisions. Establishing an appropriate baseline approach to managing the settlement funds and to managing the relationship with our funded partners will lend itself hopefully to greater long-term success. We collect data quarterly for an opioid data dashboard which will actually be launched in the coming weeks and performance data includes three components as shown here. Population level data, core strategies data, and funded partner data. We also work with each of the funded partners to collect data and respond to the state's three required performance measures which ultimately tell the story of quantity, how much did we do, quality, how well did we do it, and outcome is anybody better off. And we utilize a system called REDCap, which is a software database that is uh that captures each of those
046data components. And REDCap is actually only available for educational institutions. So because of our relationship with Wingut University, we're able to take advantage of that software, which has been very helpful. So now that I've told you what's occurred to date, I want to give you a quick summary of next steps. After tonight's board update, county leadership is going to be focused on completing the strategic planning process for the next phase of work. As has been discussed, the strategic plan must be updated every four years at a minimum to meet the state's guidelines. But in our instance, because our initial um process was a three-year process, we now have to update in advance of the July 1 deadline for our next funding cycle. Our strategic planning process will actually begin tomorrow morning, September 16th, and it'll
047be a collaborative effort of over 35 different community groups, including law enforcement, healthcare, employers, educators, and other partners engaged in prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Then in October, staff is going to provide you all with performance data and impact stories from each of our current round one funded partners. Additionally, and this is very important, we are going to ask that you all complete a survey that will help us understand your priorities associated with the second round of opioid settlement funding decisions. So that can be taken into consideration, utilized as part of the strategic planning process. Then in January, we will be presenting information to you all with the goal of having the board adopt key strategies and goals identified through our strategic planning process and approve an approach to allocating the funds going forward in
048this next cycle. Once y'all have approved the 2026 strategies and funding approach, we would plan to open up an application process or request for information process in January of 2026 for interested community partners. Then recommended funding partners will be identified based on all of the work that have been completed to date and on those applications and we'll be uh doing that throughout the month of February and then in March our intention is to bring those recommendations of funded partners to you all for consideration and then hopefully selection of those partners at which point um we would begin developing the contracts for them. And ultimately I just want to reiterate that that second phase of funding uh which will start in July 2026. You all will have three years worth of data to look at and
049that's seems like a lot of data but it's actually a short amount because this is a long runway and the results to be achieved actually take a good amount of time depending on the program. But the intent ultimately is for that data to be able to provide a more complete picture of the opioid epidemic in Union County. And it'll include funded partner data, evaluation data, trends in ER visits, and trends in overdo dose deaths. And ultimately, again, you all have flexibility to fund most anything that is going to work for our community as long as those programs align with the state guidelines. So once that's done and you all identify and approve the next funded partners, our contracts will be completed and we anticipate beginning those as of July 1st of 2026. I want to
050wrap up with two slides. One is is this uh that is just demonstrative of the fact that we have many commun community partners who are engaged and collaborating to address this epidemic. There isn't a magic formula and there's no single approach that's going to solve this issue for our community or for any any community. It truly takes a village to impact this complex epidemic and we are very thankful for the extensive engagement and leadership that y'all have provided as well as all of the community partners both funded and unfunded uh that are shown on this slide as well as in other spaces and we look forward to working with you all throughout the upcoming strategic planning process. And in closing, uh, I know we've presented a whole lot of information to you this evening, but
051I want to leave you with an uplifting quote from one of the children who has benefited from services provided by our funded partners to remind us why we're all here. The simple reason is, we're here to support programs and services that combat addiction and reverse the epidemic's damage and ultimately create hope and a brighter future for all of our residents. And out of the mouth of this child, I used to be like really mean. Now I'm like nice and I smile every time. I'm never mad or anything. And ultimately, wouldn't it be great if we could all get to that place? So, we would be happy to take any questions um that you all might have. And thank you. [Applause] So, just wanted to say thank you for allowing us a little bit of time
052to present to you tonight. Um, you will be receiving a pretty uh substantial packet of information that has a lot of this, has some testimonials about people that have gone through the program, how they've benefited from from that. We want you to have time to digest that in a different setting than tonight. So, you can read through it, you can look at it, you can be thoughtful about it, ask any questions you may have, and then fill out the survey because this does start and end with you all. um we want your support going into it and then obviously you have to approve any funding on the back end. So um like I said just we appreciate the time tonight and if you have any questions we can answer them. If not um you there'll
053be more information to come. >> Thank thank you and thank everyone for being here tonight. This was a a good information for us to take home and digest. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You have >> Oh, we have a question. Yes. One question. >> So, I'm not sure this probably needs to be directed to our staff, but I did have a question regarding uh what we had previously approved. Um, so one of the things that we had previously approved was a partnership between UCPS and the sheriff's office uh regarding regarding a youth prevention program and we had allocated $200,000 to that. Um, can can you guys provide an update on that program? how many schools are involved um and where we stand with that just maybe a brief quick update. >> Yeah. Um so
054we can talk a little bit about the school program. So the school program kicked off in October of 2024. So they started at the first semester of last year. And so right now we're in two clusters. So we're in Sun Valley Middle and High School and we're in Porter Ridge Middle and High School. Um, and so the f the program that we're doing is too good for drugs. Um, and it's a schoolbased prevention pilot and it's focused on refusal skills and healthy decision-making. And so far for fall semester 2024 and spring semester for 2025, we have 661 students that have participated in the middle school and the high school clusters. And they're looking to start that again this year as well in October. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> And just like
055that, we're at um county manager comments. >> I have no comments. Thank you, ma'am. >> That brings us to commissioner comments, and I'm going to start with Commissioner Clancy Vaugh. >> Thank you, Melissa. Um, you know, it's been a tough been a tough past few days and um, we we've actually young folks in the in the country as all of us witnessed two murders and it's just a burden to me and we need to lift each other up. We need to pray for protection. Pray for our law enforcement. um pray for the families that are that are close to these two individuals, Charlie Kirk and the young lady on Mass Transit in Charlotte. So, um I just would encourage everyone to lean on each other, support each other, and lift up these families in prayer.
056>> Commissioner Christina Helms. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, I think I I think we all agree with um Commissioner Balkam's statement about um it's been a hard month just in general. Um between those two murders and then um remembering 9/11 in Benghazi um it's just keep praying for that. Um, but on a brighter note, uh, Friday night, um, I was able to go to the Union County Treatment Court graduation and I have to give it up to Aaron Hu and her staff. Uh, what a great job they do. and and the sentiment that kept getting reiterated is uh as petite as Miss Aaron Hu is is she's a bulldog and she does not put up with anything. Um and I'm really looking forward to her and her staff and the treatment courts in general uh
057opening up the veterans program. I think that's going to be a great asset to the county and we applaud y'all for all of your hard work. Um, and you know, it's not something that's going to go away quickly. Um, I think we've seen that. Um, with everything, all the seizures that has been on the news. Um, but we do appreciate all your work, all of law enforcement's work trying to combat this and keep this off the streets, keep it especially away from our children. So, we thank everyone for all their hard work to protect us. Thank y'all. >> Commissioner Brun Helms. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so I just to kind of piggyback on what Commissioner Helms was saying about the treatment court. So, I had the opportunity to go as well and I
058guess my takeaway might have been a little bit different in the fact that you don't want to make Chief Hu mad. Yeah. >> So, uh, so on that on that note though, I I will say that uh that it was a very good uh experience. Um, the stories that we were able to hear are very uplifting stories of overcoming adversity. Um and and I think that that's you know very important um not only for the treatment court but also for where uh our county um our state and also our our nation are right now. Um you know this week has been difficult. It's been a very difficult week. It's been a very very difficult couple of weeks. And if I'm being honest, my heart breaks. My heart breaks for the things that we've we've bared
059witness to. Um, want to offer my sincere condolences to not only the young lady in Charlotte, but also the Kirk family. Also offer my prayers to their families. Um, one comment that I'd like to make uh regarding a statement that was said during public comment um is that uh Mayor Burns was mentioned and what I'll say is is that this board has no authority to remove any elected official from office. Uh that is not within the authority granted to this board by the state of North Carolina. Um, once again, I'd like to thank all of you for being here. Thank you for the fantastic work that you guys are doing. The county appreciates it. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> I just want to echo what my colleagues have said tonight. It It's been a
060tough week. It's been a tough month. And um, our prayers go to Ireina's family in Charlotte. um her mother, her boyfriend um that had to run to the scene and discover that that she was no longer with him. um and then making the decision that um that they would keep her here and not send her back to her homeland um to be buried that she she loved being in America and this is um where she would want um to rest in peace. So um prayers to her family and to the Charlie Kirk family. It has just um I really don't know what our society has come to to not have an open debate and to agree, disagree, challenge each other. Um and you know, and if we truly are a melting pot, then we are
061going to have differences. But um but to assassinate someone in front of um thousands of young impressionable people um to assassinate someone in front of their spouse and their small children. It's my understanding when the gun went off Charlie Kirk's little girl was scared and took off running to her daddy. Can you imagine? Um, I just I I pray for our community. I think um I think our country is worth fighting for. I think our state is worth fighting for. I think Union County can do better. And um and I think we need to start being very honest with um with each other over what was posted, what the response was. And um I think honesty is going to be a good good start. That would be a good start. and and to just begin
062those conversations knowing that if we pride ourselves on being a melting pot, then of course we're going to disagree. Um so, you know, one young man, his life is ruined. Um his his parents' life is ruined. Um, and I know that is not what Charlie Cook would have ever wanted was would be for a young person who he gave up his entire career um to minister to young people. And now this young person instead of coming forward to ask a question, crawled on a roof and assassinated him in front of his wife and his children. And I just pray his little girl did not see what we all saw. I pray that she when she ran to her daddy, I pray I pray that's not the last thing she saw. So I just challenge us
063to do better, be better, and um and commit ourselves to getting back to the basics and um and having respect for each other. And it's okay to disagree. It's okay to disagree. Um, I'm coming up on my 30th anniversary and me and my husband disagree often. Try to lighten the mood a little bit. But, um, I just want to thank everybody for being here tonight and participating in this meeting. Ladies, thank you so much for the work you do in our community. And um I see our staff and um just want to thank our staff and make sure you always know how grateful we are for each and every one of you um because it it makes our responsibilities um so much easier. So with that I will end my comments and make a motion
064to adjourn. All those in favor say I. I. All right.