Owingsville Opioid Funds Face Request From Local Recovery Facility

The City of Owingsville received a reported $150,000 in opioid-settlement funding and had used about 30% of that allocation as of the July 15 report from WKYT. Juniper Tree Recovery, an Owingsville facility, is seeking access to some of the money that may remain.

Juniper Tree opened its Owingsville recovery facility in February 2026. CEO Jeff Caudill told WKYT that settlement support could help pay for transportation, employee salaries and assistance for people preparing to live outside treatment. The report did not identify an approved award to Juniper Tree.

How Owingsville has used the money

Owingsville leaders told WKYT that the city had spent part of its allocation on the Thrive 51 recovery group, an anonymous tip line for people dealing with opioid abuse and improved police radios. The city also planned to use part of the funding to staff an opioid-prevention officer.

Those uses are not all at the same stage. The support for Thrive 51, the tip line and police radios was described as spending that had occurred. The opioid-prevention officer was described as a planned use rather than completed spending.

Applying the reported 30% figure to the $150,000 allocation produces an approximate calculation of $45,000 used and $105,000 remaining. That is not an audited balance and may not reflect later receipts, expenditures or reporting adjustments. Residents can use the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission spending dashboard to review public reporting as it becomes available.

What Juniper Tree is requesting

Juniper Tree Recovery lists its outpatient recovery center at 199 Williams Ave. in Owingsville. Caudill said funding could help with transportation, employee salaries and efforts to help people prepare for life after treatment.

WKYT reported that the facility is primarily supported through Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. Caudill said reimbursement limits and expected changes to Medicaid funding could make opioid-settlement money important to the facility’s operations.

Who decides whether funding is available

The immediate question is whether an authorized local government will determine that Juniper Tree’s request fits the rules for opioid-remediation spending and approve an award. Juniper Tree planned to meet with local leaders to determine whether it qualifies.

WKYT also reported that the facility serves people from across the region, not only Owingsville residents. That raises separate questions about whether other counties’ settlement funds could be involved. The report did not identify a formal award or approval for Juniper Tree.

The Kentucky Association of Counties says settlement spending must comply with approved opioid-remediation uses under state law and the national settlement agreement. Those uses include care, treatment and other programs designed to address opioid misuse, opioid-related disorders or effects of the opioid epidemic.

For Owingsville residents, the accountability questions are how much of the city’s allocation has actually been spent and whether officials approve any eligible request for the remaining funds. The state dashboard and future city records should provide the clearest updates on spending, balances and any action involving Juniper Tree.

Sources

• WKYT report on Owingsville's opioid-settlement spending and Juniper Tree's request
• Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission spending dashboard
• Kentucky Association of Counties opioid-settlement guidance
• Juniper Tree Recovery Owingsville facility page