NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a $25,000 opioid settlement grant for the Brown County Jail Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Tony Berg.

“I think this is money very well spent,” said Borchert.

After reviewing applications received and making funding recommendations March 5, the Brown County Opioid Settlement Advisory Council agreed to fund the jail in the amount of $25,000.

The grant agreement begins April 1 and ends March 31, 2025. All opioid remediation activities must be completed within the grant cycle.

Brown County will receive $1.25 million over a 19-year period from two large, multi-state opioid settlements. Future funding requests must be submitted via a grant application. Continuous funding is not guaranteed.

Last year, the advisory council agreed distribute $25,000 to Ivy House, $20,000 to the Heart of New Ulm and $25,000 to the Brown County Evaluation Center as part of a rolling grant application program.

The amount of grant money awarded depends on the number of applicants and eligibility for funds.

Brown County formed an advisory council to determine how opioid settlement funds should be used in June 2022. It was determined funds should be allocated based on prevention, treatment and recovery, criminal justice and harm reduction.

Ivy House is a nonprofit, 24/7 crisis nursery that can provide up to 72 hours of childcare for families in need.

The Heart of New Ulm aims to improve the health and well-being of New Ulm area residents through education, environmental improvements and policy changes.

The Brown County Evaluation Center is a 16-bed, secure, non-hospital detox facility in New Ulm providing services for those intoxicated or in withdrawal.

Minnesota Department of Health data shows opioid-involved overdose deaths increased 44% from 2020 to 2021, to an all-time high of 978 deaths in 2021. Fentanyl, a highly potent, synthetic opioid, was involved in most of the deaths.

For more information, visit https://www.co.brown.mn.us/opioid