Hancock County commissioners are planning to review nine applications the county has received for portions of its opioid funds, with a decision set to be made in March. (Photo by Craig Howell)

NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County commissioners are planning to award some of the county’s opioid funding in the near future, but officials warn ongoing budgetary concerns may have an impact in their decisions.

The agenda for Thursday’s commission meeting included a “consideration to acknowledge that 9 Opioid Fund Requests were received,” noting the commission would plan to vote on the requests during their March 26 meeting.

While not going into detail during or after the meeting, commissioners indicated how many of the requests could be funded may depend on the county’s plans for the 2026-2027 fiscal budget, which also is scheduled for approval in March.

“I hope we can pass these,” Commissioner Tommy Ogden said. “It keeps all of our financial options open.”

According to discussions held in October, Hancock County has been awarded approximately $1.6 million in funds derived through court settlements between the State of West Virginia and various producers and distributors of pharmaceutical opioids.

Terms for the use of those funds were established as part of the West Virginia First memorandum of understanding, signed onto by the state, all 55 counties and many of West Virginia’s municipalities, all of which received a portion of the settlement funds as part of the agreement.

During a workshop held by the commission in October, commissioners had a difference of opinion on the use of the available funds, with Ogden suggesting the possibility of using a portion of the county’s allotment to put toward budgetary needs for the county’s sheriff’s department and volunteer fire departments.

At the time, though, Commission President Eron Chek and Commissioner Paul Cowey said they felt the funds should be used more in support of programs focused on opioid prevention education, rehabilitation or other needs to combat opioid abuse.

Chek noted, Thursday, the county will have all of its budgetary information in hand before making any decisions on the opioid funds.

“We’ll have that information at the beginning of March,” Chek said.

The county developed an application form for those interested in seeking a portion of the opioid funds. The form – which is available online through the commission’s website – notes, “the intended uses of Opioid Funds are limited to specific purposes according to the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding.” Those uses are generally classified as providing for education, emergency services, prevention, intervention and rehabilitation.

In other business, Thursday, the commission reappointed Chek to serve as the commission president for the 2026 calendar year, with Cowey to serve as president pro tempore.

Commissioners also:

Approved the application for a grant contract between the Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services and the commission;

Approved a mileage rate of $0.725, based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service standard rate;

Approved the release of a deed of trust for Michael J. Watkins Sr., at 202 Madison St., New Cumberland;

Approved an order removing the executrix of the Estate of Shirley Beagle, and a motion to increase the Fiduciary Commissioner fee for the Estate of Priscilla Ann Shields;

Committee and board appointments were not considered after receiving no motion from any of the commissioners.

chowell@weirtondailytimes.com