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Macon County awarded $300,000 opioid planning grant; county appoints consolidated Human Services Board

Macon County Board of Commissioners · December 10, 2025

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Summary

County manager reported a $300,000 opioid planning grant from Dogwood Health Trust to develop a required strategic plan; commissioners also appointed existing Board of Health members to a consolidated Human Services Board and discussed recruiting specific health professionals to meet statutory membership requirements.

County manager reported that Macon County was awarded a $300,000 opioid planning grant from Dogwood Health Trust to fund development of the strategic plan required before spending opioid settlement monies. The grant is intended to fund planning activities and the county expects to convene a committee and potentially hire a contractor to produce the plan.

Separately, the board approved appointments transferring the current Board of Health members to the newly consolidated Human Services Board in anticipation of a January consolidation. Staff noted statutory membership requirements under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 153A‑77(c) (as cited in meeting discussion), which call for several licensed professionals and at‑large members; the county is recruiting for specific roles, including a psychologist, optometrist and social worker, and said the state may waive certain licensing requirements for residents in small rural counties.

The board approved the appointments by unanimous vote and directed staff to continue outreach for the remaining positions so the consolidated board is as complete as possible when it takes effect in January.