Board authorizes county to execute opioid settlement agreements, including Purdue and secondary manufacturers

McLeod County’s board authorized the county administrator and/or county attorney to execute settlement documents related to the national Purdue opioid litigation settlement and additional agreements with secondary manufacturers.

The county attorney explained the settlement administrator for the class sent settlement packages and the county’s class action counsel recommends participating by executing the necessary bankruptcy plan and settlement agreements. The county has been part of the litigation for several years and may receive allocations comparable to prior settlements; the county attorney said finance and human services staff reviewed the materials.

Commissioners approved authorization to sign the documents for the Purdue settlement and for settlements with additional non‑national secondary manufacturers by voice vote. A commissioner noted that participation in the class action is an either/or decision — the county can participate to recover funds or decline to participate.

County attorneys said the settlement documents are comprehensive and not structured as a menu; participation allows McLeod County to receive recovery under the negotiated settlements.