Ward County commissioners agree to sign on to two additional opioid settlement proposals

The Ward County Commission voted July 30 to have the chairman sign onto two additional opioid settlement proposals after a closed legal advisement session. Commissioners voted unanimously on the motion, which followed a period of legal discussion in executive session.

The action came after the commission moved into executive session at 8:33 a.m. “Present in the executive session for legal advisement on additional opioid settlements were Commissioners Rostad, Merritt, Schuler, and Chairman Fjeldahl,” the minutes say. State’s Attorney Roza Larson joined the session at 8:47 a.m. for legal advisement. The executive session closed at 9:07 a.m., and the commission immediately moved to formal action.

Moved by Commissioner Schuler and seconded by Commissioner Merritt, the motion to have the chairman sign onto two additional opioid settlement proposals passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes. The minutes record no further details about the terms of the proposals or the expected financial impact.

Minutes identify those present for the legal advisement as Chairman Fjeldahl; Commissioners Rostad, Merritt, Schuler, and Olson (Olson attended by phone); Auditor/Treasurer Marisa Haman; and Secretary Amanda Winkels; State’s Attorney Roza Larson joined the executive session at 8:47 a.m. The minutes do not specify settlement amounts, distribution plans, or related timelines.

The record does not state next procedural steps following the chairman’s signature or whether the county must complete additional approvals before funds are distributed.