BECKLEY, W.Va. — The first of 11 directors that will help oversee distribution of opioid settlement money in West Virginia was chosen in a vote that took place Wednesday afternoon at the Raleigh County Courthouse.
Representatives of Region 6 of the West Virginia First Foundation elected McDowell County physician Dr. Michael Kelly as the director who will represent that part of the state on the new board.
Kelly works at Welch Community Hospital.
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said this is how the distribution agreement is supposed to work. He’s glad to have the first director in place.
“That person is going to be one of 11 board members that will help make decisions about how some of the settlement money is to be dispersed,” Morrisey said. “I think it’s a good process. It’s open to the public. It’s transparent.”
Region 6 is made up of Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Mercer, Wyoming and McDowell counties. Cities and towns in those counties sent representatives to Wednesday’s meeting to choose a director.
Five other regions will elect directors before July 17. Gov. Jim Justice will appoint five additional directors that will also serve on the board.
Morrisey said he is looking forward to working with Kelly and the other members who will soon be chosen.
“I’ve heard positive things but I’m looking forward to having a chance to get to know him,” Morrisey said. “The wonderful thing about this process is that you’re going to have a lot of people put their names in the mix and we’re going to have a chance to get to know these folks.”
The state has received about $1 billion in opioid settlement funds that will be distributed to cities and counties. Morrisey said there remain some court rulings when it comes to attorney fees. He said the distribution will begin after a final number is known.
The design of the West Virginia First Foundation, according to Morrisey, is to focus dollars on those areas of the state that need it most.
“We believe the regional approach will address that in the right way,” Morrisey said in a news conference last week.
Morrisey added it’s not out of the question that some settlement funds could be awarded later this year.
“With the board being set this summer, we’re looking at probably toward the end of the year where money could actually be distributed, but a lot is up to the court,” Morrisey said.
A search is also underway for an executive director for the West Virginia First Foundation.
WJLS reporter Keith Thompson contributed to this story.