Wichita County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously authorized the county judge to execute county participation forms tied to national opioid litigation settlements involving Purdue and several pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. The authorization came after a closed‑session briefing on settlement terms.

The action clears Wichita County to accept participation in settlement programs described in the county's litigation briefing, which the judge read into the record after the court returned to open session. The judge identified the matters as involving Purdue and certain affiliates of the Sackler family and a second group naming manufacturers and distributors that the court read aloud, and stated the settlements are part of the national prescription opioid multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 117‑MD‑02804 as read in open session.

During the closed session the court cited Texas Government Code section 552.071, consultation with attorney about pending or contemplated litigation or settlement offers, as the statutory basis for closing the meeting. After the closed session, a motion to authorize the county judge to execute the participation forms was made and seconded; the court approved the motion by a 5‑0 vote.

The vote formally allows the county to complete the administrative steps needed for participation; the court did not read financial terms into the public record during the open session. The authorization follows a closed‑session briefing and is limited to execution of the participation forms as described in the agenda item the judge read into the minutes.

No further details about the county's expected share, distribution formula, or anticipated timeline were presented in open session; those matters were discussed in closed session and were not disclosed publicly at the meeting.