Commissioners to Vote on Opioid, ARPA Funds | The Locally Times
Callaway County Commissioners will consider approving opioid settlement funds and allocating federal ARPA aid next week, with decisions poised to reshape local services and infrastructure. A public hearing on a separate grant is also scheduled.
Callaway County Commissioners are set to decide the future of significant opioid settlement funds and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aid next week, with their financial decisions poised to reshape local services, infrastructure, and community initiatives. The Commission's agenda for Monday, March 30, details a full day of financial and operational matters, including budget discussions and capital projects, culminating in a public hearing on a separate grant on Tuesday, March 31. ## Opioid Settlement Approval on Monday's Agenda The Callaway County Commission is scheduled to meet with Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Colhour at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30, to address opioid settlement approval. This meeting, detailed in the County Clerk's Commission Agenda, includes both closed and open session items. A closed session will cover county litigation updates and personnel discussions, as permitted by RSMo. 610.021(1) and RSMo. 610.021(3). Beyond this specific meeting, the agenda indicates the Commission will engage in broader opioid fund discussions and meetings throughout the day, including the use of opioid litigation funds. The agenda, however, does not specify the exact nature or total amount of the opioid settlement funds under consideration. ## ARPA Funds and County Financial Planning Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will also be a central topic for Commissioners on March 30. The County Clerk's Commission Agenda shows discussions and meetings regarding ARPA funds scheduled throughout the day, integrated into a broader schedule of general county business. This includes budget discussions and meetings concerning capital projects and other building initiatives, set to occur from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While the agenda indicates Commissioners will meet with citizens and staff, providing avenues for public input, it does not detail the specific amounts of ARPA funds to be discussed or outline proposed uses and projects. ## Upcoming Public Hearing and Information Gaps Following Monday's extensive financial discussions, the Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 31, at 9:00 a.m. The agenda outlines the schedule for these important financial discussions but consistently lacks specifics. It does not specify the total amounts of opioid settlement funds or ARPA funds under consideration, nor does it provide a detailed breakdown of the PA Budget or the specific opioid litigation fund uses. Consequently, the precise financial impact of these upcoming decisions remains unspecified in publicly available records. ## Key Questions **What financial topics will the Commission discuss?** Commissioners will discuss the approval of opioid settlement funds and the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, alongside general budget and capital project discussions. **When will opioid settlement approval be discussed?** The Commission is scheduled to meet with the Prosecuting Attorney at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30, to discuss opioid settlement approval in an open session. **Is there an opportunity for public input?** The agenda indicates Commissioners will meet with citizens throughout the day on March 30, and a public hearing for TAP grant #9901564 is scheduled for March 31.