Community Access
Can I provide input on spending?
The Minnesota settlement MOA requires state and local governments to “coordinate with trusted partners, including community stakeholders, to collect and share information about successful regional and other high-impact strategies and opioid treatment programs.”[1]
75% local share: Up to each locality (not required). Beyond the above general mandate, there is no specific obligation for the state to seek public input on the use of settlement funds. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, Ramsey County launched a survey to collect community input on settlement fund uses and encourages members of the public to subscribe to the county’s opioid settlement specific updates.[2] Minneapolis and Steele County also conducted community surveys on settlement spending priorities.[3]
25% state share: Yes (not required). Beyond the above general mandate, there is no specific obligation for localities to seek public input on the use of settlement funds. However, the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council's (OERAC) meetings are open to the public and often include time for public comment.[4]
Meetings are required to be held at least quarterly but in practice have been held monthly,[5] with both virtual and in-person attendance options.[6] Information on upcoming and past meetings is available on OERAC’s website.
State law also requires that meetings be held across different locations to promote geographic access, with at least half of meetings held outside the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area.[7]
Can I apply for grants?
Yes. Minnesota has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations may apply. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.
Where do I go for updates?
For updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the website for your county commission, city council, or local health department. See also individual localities’ opioid settlement-specific websites (e.g., Beltrami County, Hennepin County, Otter Tail County).[8]
See also the Association of Minnesota Counties’ Opioid Settlement Resources & Information and the League of Minnesota Cities’ Opioid Epidemic Information and Resources pages.
For updates on the state share, visit the OERAC’s website and subscribe to updates from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
What else should I know?
Minnesota’s counties are required to host an annual meeting with all their municipalities to receive input and promote collaboration on uses of opioid settlement funds. Though local governments are not specifically required to consider public input at these meetings, the meetings must be open to the public.[9]
Citations
Amended Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement, Sec. IV.F (Collaboration). ↑
Ramsey County Opioid Response Initiative (“Stay up-to-date”). Ramsey Conty website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Find the latest information about the Opioid Response Initiative in the May 2024 Overview Report (PDF). You can also sign up for email updates about the opioid settlement and use of resources in Ramsey County: Subscribe to Opioid Response Initiative”). See also
Ramsey County Opioid Response Initiative (“Community feedback survey” under the “Working with community” drop-down menu). Ramsey Conty website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“June - August 2022 - An electronic community feedback survey was available to Ramsey County residents and others who work in the county (including county employees). The survey asked for opinions on how important is it that Ramsey County prioritize resources for each defined remediation categories outlined in the 1st Opioid Settlement Agreement. Over 350 people responded”). ↑
City’s Health Department awards first round of opioid settlement funding to combat crisis. City of Minneapolis press release. March 12, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“We are looking for feedback on how to best support our community and use the opioid settlement funds”); Opioid Funding Prioritization. Steele County Public Health. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Steele County Public Health sought public input utilizing a Funding Prioritization Survey from May 10th, 2023-October 1st, 2023. The data ... will be used to inform decision-making on funding distribution”). ↑
See, e.g., January 19, 2024 Meeting Agenda. Minnesota Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council. Accessed September 1, 2024 (including two “rounds” of public comment). See also Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (“Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council meetings“). Minnesota Department of Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“All meetings are open to the public. Public comment time during every meeting, submit questions about the public comment period to BHD_Opioid@state.mn.us); Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(f) (subjecting OERAC to Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law, chapter 13D, which does not require that public meetings include the opportunity for public participation; read more about the Open Meeting Law’s rules and requirements here). ↑
Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(d). ↑
Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (“Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council meetings”). Minnesota Department of Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Live-streaming webcast: You can view a live-streaming Webex of each meeting … All guests will be muted so the council members can fully participate in the meeting. … To request a reasonable accommodation to make it possible for you to attend any of the meetings or view the live webcast, please send a request as soon as possible to BHD_Opioid@state.mn.us”). ↑
Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(d). The seven counties include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. See Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 473.121, Subd. 4 (defining “Metropolitan county”). ↑
Amended Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement, Sec. IV.E(1) (Consultation and partnerships). ↑
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