Morgantown City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 26 to participate in a proposed settlement tied to the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy that would provide additional opioid-settlement funds to the state and local governments.
City staff said the settlement would be implemented under the West Virginia First memorandum of understanding adopted in February 2022. Under the allocation framework described by staff, roughly 24.5 percent of settlement funds are distributed directly to local governments while the remaining share is administered by the West Virginia First Foundation for evidence-based programs across six regions of the state.
City finance director John Ferguson told council the city could anticipate receiving about $65,000 spread over nine years under the proposed allocation. He emphasized that the larger pool administered by the West Virginia First Foundation is available for nonprofits and entities to apply for and that municipalities are not the only applicants eligible for those funds.
Ferguson also noted the city has already received two direct payments under earlier agreements: $90,833.89 dated Dec. 18, 2023, and $30,810.07 dated Jan. 9, 2025. He said the council has budgeted the most recent direct-allocation monies to support local shelter services in the fiscal 2026 budget.
The motion to approve participation was made and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded seven yes, zero no. Staff recommended participation and said the city could alternatively pursue independent litigation, a less coordinated option the city has not chosen.
Council members asked clarifying questions about how the state-level West Virginia First Foundation will accept applications and how local nonprofits can access additional funds. City staff encouraged nonprofits and service providers to apply directly to the foundation for program funding.