WELLSBURG — The Brooke County commission Tuesday heard another pitch for the use of the county’s portion of settlement funds received through a statewide lawsuit against makers and distributors of pharmaceutical opioids

This one came from Jessica Moore, associate vice president of foundation and community relations for West Virginia University Medicine, who suggested part of the funds could help to establish a mental health clinic for children and teens at the Robert Sonneborn Family Children’s Outpatient Center being developed across from Wheeling Hospital on Medical Park Drive.

Ground was broken for the $16 million medical facility in August.

The Brooke County Commission received $1,130,329 from 2023 to the present through disbursements from settlements reached by the state Attorney General’s Office from the lawsuits.

Moore said plans call for the center to open in 2027 with an after-hours clinic that will be open until 8 p.m. and specialty clinics addressing certain medical issues.

She said goals for the facility include a mental health clinic to which other staff may refer families of youth who appear to have substance abuse issues or other mental health problems.

Moore said it’s not uncommon for youth who are depressed to turn to illegal drugs to cope.

She said access to such a clinic in the same place where families have sought medical care would greatly improve the chance of youth getting the help they need.

Moore said $125,000 from the county’s opioid funds would help to establish a clinic staffed five days a week by a therapist and case manager.

She said its operations ultimately would be funded through insurance coverage and other sources.

Moore said available funding for pediatric care is much less than that for adults, and WVU Medicine had to raise 45 percent of the funds needed to pursue the center itself.

She said funds for the mental health clinic will be sought from other sources as well.

In recent weeks, the commission has received requests for the opioid settlement funds from the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department, which hopes to purchase crimefighting equipment to bring to justice offenders involved in the illegal drug trade and others, and Healthways Inc., which wants to use some of the money to raise awareness of the short-term drug abuse treatment program it offers.

The commissioners suggested earlier they may create a board to consider such requests and were asked, following Tuesday’s meeting, the status of that effort.

Commission President A.J. Thomas said, “We don’t know that we even need one. We need to make a decision on whether to set that up.”

Thomas said instead of awaiting the recommendation of a volunteer board, the commission could decide how the funds will be used directly.

County Commissioner Tom Diserio said he shares that sentiment but would like clarification from state officials about specific uses for the money.

County Commissioner Stacey Wise said there are reporting requirements for the funds and the commission could be forced to repay money that wasn’t used properly, as is the case for grants awarded to the county.

She said the drug problem is a complex one, with issues surrounding drug addiction treatment such as cost to the patient and transportation, among many factors to be considered.

Wise said the commission has obtained an application used by other counties for entities seeking opioid funds awarded to them.

She said the form asks for evidence of the impact the proposed use may have and other information that would help the commission to weigh the request.

Wise said adoption of the form may be the next step taken by the commission.

In other business:

• The commission appointed the county’s dog wardens, Caitlin Wood and Abbie Pelettier, to serve as its humane officers.

Thomas said Jaetin Popish, a Brooke County sheriff’s deputy, had served as humane officer because he had previously been the dog warden and time was needed for Wood and Peletier to train for their roles as humane officers.

Brooke County Prosecutor Allison Cowden also had expressed concerns about legal issues involved with Popish, as a deputy, serving in that capacity.

• County Clerk Kimberly Barbetta announced the county courthouse will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey had approved a half-day today for state employees.

Thomas said because he didn’t declare it a state holiday and there wasn’t time for the commission to place it on their agenda, he and the other commissioners gave the county’s department heads the choice of allowing staff to leave early today.

For that reason, residents with business at the courthouse were encouraged to call (304) 737-3661 in advance.