What's ahead in Rutherford County's $11.2M opioid settlement plan

Rutherford County officials used a public meeting earlier this month to outline what comes next for the county’s opioid settlement funds, describing a multi-year rollout that is expected to move from planning into implementation in 2026. However, no official written record of that meeting has been publicly shared by the county.

During the meeting, Scott Luetgenau and County Manager Steve Garrison explained that 2026 will mark the transition from strategy development to awarding and spending settlement funds. Speakers said the county has completed its planning phase and intends to begin putting money into programs designed to address opioid use, overdoses, and related community impact.

Luetgenau was paid $120,000 to facilitate the process, according to public records.

Moving from planning to funding

According to statements made during the meeting, the county expects to release requests for applications (RFAs) in 2026. These RFAs will allow local organizations, agencies, and providers to apply for opioid settlement funding for projects that align with the strategies discussed publicly.

Presenters emphasized that funding decisions will be guided by what they described as a “continuum of care,” including prevention, treatment, recovery support, and harm reduction. They said proposed projects will be evaluated based on evidence-based practices and the ability to address documented gaps in Rutherford County.

Officials told attendees that applications would be reviewed through a formal process before recommendations are made to county leadership. Final approval of funding allocations would rest with county commissioners.

Focus areas identified for 2026

Speakers at the meeting outlined several focus areas expected to receive attention as funding begins:

Treatment access. Presenters acknowledged that Rutherford County currently lacks a local opioid treatment program and said expanding access to medication-assisted treatment is a priority. They discussed plans to support treatment options that reduce the need for residents to travel outside the county for care.

Peer and recovery support. The meeting included discussion of increasing peer support services across multiple settings, including healthcare, the justice system, and community-based programs. Officials said peers with lived experience are seen as critical to connecting people to services and supporting long-term recovery.

Harm reduction. County partners cited ongoing naloxone distribution efforts and said overdose prevention will remain a core component of settlement spending. They described harm reduction as a way to keep people alive while connecting them to care.

Housing and transportation barriers. Presenters noted that unstable housing and lack of transportation were repeatedly identified during planning as barriers to treatment and recovery. They said 2026 funding could support services that address those structural issues.

Post-overdose response. The meeting included discussion of rapid follow-up after overdoses, with the goal of connecting individuals to services within days of an incident.

Timeline discussed at the meeting

While no written timeline was released, speakers described a general sequence for 2026:

• Early 2026: release of RFAs and public information sessions explaining how to apply

• Spring 2026: application deadlines and review process

• Late spring or early summer 2026: funding recommendations and approvals

• Mid-2026: initial distribution of funds and program launches

Officials said funding awards would typically cover multiple years, with ongoing reporting requirements.

Reporting and accountability in 2026

Presenters stated that the county is required to report opioid settlement spending to the state and to hold annual public meetings related to the use of the funds. They said those meetings are intended to share updates, gather feedback, and meet state settlement requirements.

However, despite those transparency obligations, the 2025 public meeting itself was not recorded, livestreamed, or summarized in writing by the county. No minutes, slides, or official recap have been posted, and there is no county-issued document detailing what was presented or what feedback was received.

As a result, the specifics about 2026 planning — including priorities, timelines, and funding approaches — exist only through independent documentation and reporting.

Why the lack of written records matters

Opioid settlement funds are restricted to abatement uses and are governed by statewide rules emphasizing transparency and public accountability. Without written records, residents who could not attend the meeting have no way to review what county officials said about how the money will be spent in 2026.

Advocates for transparency note that written documentation is especially important as the county begins awarding funds and making long-term commitments. Clear records allow the public to compare what was promised during planning with what is ultimately funded.

County Manager Steve Garrison resigned shortly after the meeting.

What residents can expect next

Based on statements made at the meeting, 2026 is expected to be a year of action rather than discussion, with funding decisions, contracts, and program launches tied to the strategies outlined publicly.

What remains unclear is when, or if, the county will publish written records of its opioid settlement planning meetings going forward. County officials indicated future public meetings will occur as required, but did not address recordkeeping practices during the meeting itself.

WCAB News will continue reporting on opioid settlement funding and public meetings.

You may watch the meeting here.