The Shasta County Board of Supervisors in California has invited community members to a board meeting to suggest how the county should use approximately $700,000 of its $1.9 million in annual receipts from a 1998 tobacco settlement between state attorneys general and the tobacco industry, the Record Searchlight reported on February 20.

The settlement funds are intended to repay the health costs related to smoking. In 2001, the board voted to spend $45 million of the funds over 30 years on new buildings, meeting with opposition from health care advocates. However, supervisors also agreed to dedicate 15 percent of the state's settlement income to local projects.

County departments suggested using the funds to support the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), alcohol and drug detoxification, foster care, domestic violence and child abuse prevention, community parks, crisis intervention, transitional housing and senior services.

"It's very important the community gives input on this new grant program," said County Administrative Officer Larry Lees. "This is the first time the tobacco settlement funds will be disbursed for community projects through a competitive process, and the board will be considering what parameter to follow."