Mariel Williams
editor@mitchellnews.com
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27, to provide the public with an overview of how a recent opioid lawsuit settlement may benefit the county.
The board briefly discussed the settlement at its meeting last week, explaining that Mitchell County is receiving funds from the recent settlement of a lawsuit regarding excessive opioid distribution.
The settlement funds are meant to be spent combatting drug abuse. The board discussed how to allocate those funds in ways that are in keeping with the restrictions attached to the funding and will be beneficial to the county.
“As we work through the opioid funds, there’s a lot of process involved in how those funds are allocated,” County Manager Allen Cook said.
Cook asked each member of the board to consider their personal priorities for spending money to combat drug addiction, overdose deaths and other attendant problems, so that county staff can begin researching how the settlement should be spent.
“Maybe give me your top three,” Cook said.
Cook said the county has conducted a study of drug addiction and abuse in Mitchell, and how it has impacted Mitchell residents. Glenda Shuffler, human resources director, spoke briefly about the study.
“Fifty-four percent of Mitchell County residents said their lives have been negatively affected by their own or someone else’s substance use,” Shuffler said.
Employee of the Month
The board also honored Connie McKinney as the county’s July employee of the month. McKinney works as the senior center program supervisor. Cook read a statement explaining why McKinney had been nominated.
“Connie is a great listener,” Cook said. “She makes the time to listen to the clients and their issues.”
Cook said McKinney goes above and beyond her job duties to help local seniors.
“By building this trust with clients she assists them in ways not required … to give them a lifeline, such as getting their Social Security card replaced; IDs, medical needs taken care of, and so forth.”
Cook said that McKinney is attentive to what kind of assistance will best enrich seniors’ lives.
“She doesn’t only offer activities for seniors to do but activities they want to do,” Cook said. “She has been known to get creative so that clients aren’t isolated from society.”
Governor’s award
The board recognized Mike Gunter, a volunteer for Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff, for recently being awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award. Rebecca Hall of High Country United Way — the area coordinating agency for these awards — spoke to the board about the award.
“Last year … he stepped in as the interim director after the previous director … had to leave for an immediate leave of absence,” Hall said.
“Mike volunteered at the food pantry full time, five days a week, pulling in other volunteers from the church and the Kiwanis Club to help feed the clients of Mitchell County.”
Gunter continued volunteering at the Shepherd’s Staff food pantry two or three days a week after a permanent director was hired.