Deputy City Manager Ashley Reynolds Marshall asked Charlottesville City Council on Sept. 15 to authorize participation in newly announced nationwide opioid‑manufacturer settlements so the city can receive its share of abatement funding.

Background: Marshall said the city previously joined statewide settlement processes and that Charlottesville has already received settlement proceeds and allocated them to local opioid remediation and recovery projects. She said the newest settlements involve manufacturers (Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hetero/NOD, Indivor, Mylan, Sun and Zydus) that together are expected to produce roughly $720 million nationally, with Virginia’s share around $16.4 million. Local disbursement will flow through Virginia’s Opioid Abatement Authority and some funding will be distributed directly to localities.

How city has used prior funds: Marshall listed prior local uses and grant applications, including naloxone purchases to place doses in city public‑facing bloodborne‑pathogen boxes and a pilot to provide extended‑release medication for people with opioid use disorder in the regional jail. She said some local grants had been awarded and that others were pending through the Opioid Abatement Authority.

Request to council: Marshall asked council to authorize the city attorney (or outside counsel if needed) to sign required documents so Charlottesville can participate and receive any local distribution from these settlements. She said the request is consistent with the 2021 memorandum of understanding the council previously approved.

Council questions: Council members asked about amounts received to date and for examples of funded projects; Marshall said the city had received roughly $400,000 from direct settlements (to date) and had used funds for naloxone, a clinician for crisis response and other pilot programs; additional funding awards are pending from the Opioid Abatement Authority.

Outcome and next steps: Council members moved and seconded a resolution to participate; staff initiated the electronic vote during the meeting. The resolution was presented as a single reading item. The clerk recorded the motion and vote process; council will execute the required documents to accept settlement distributions if the formal authorization is recorded in the official minutes.

Ending: Councilors praised the targeted programs supported by previous settlement funds and asked staff to continue pursuing additional awards and partnerships.