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Board hears plan for use of opioid settlement funds; $1.8M currently held locally
Summary
Staff briefed the Human Services board on the county’s policy and process for accepting and vetting department proposals that would spend opioid settlement funds; about $1.8 million was reported in a county fund as of year-end 2024.
County staff provided a high-level overview of the policy and process governing Dodge County’s use of opioid settlement funds to remediate opioid harms.
Staff said Dodge County was part of multi-jurisdiction litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies and has received settlement payments. As of the end of 2024, about $1.8 million was held in a local investment fund collecting interest. Staff explained the full stream of payments is expected to continue on varying schedules, with some payments anticipated over many years.
The board received a policy overview and an exhibit (referred to as Exhibit E) that is attached to settlement agreements; staff said Exhibit E sets permissible categories for spending (treatment, prevention, other uses consistent with the exhibit) and that the county’s policy mirrors that exhibit. Departments seeking to use funds must submit proposals that identify the requested amount, proposed use, compliance with Exhibit E, sustainability, and measurable outcomes and key performance indicators. Proposals will be vetted by the county administrator; if recommended, they will go to the Human Services and Health Board, which will review and make a recommendation for final sign-off by the county board chair as required by the settlement terms.
Staff emphasized three constraints: funds must be used for county purposes, must comply with Exhibit E (treatment, prevention, other permissible remediation uses), and funds may not be used to supplant existing programs (doing so could risk clawbacks under settlement agreements). A statutory report to the state is required by May 1 each year, and there may be additional reporting requirements to bankruptcy trustees or nationwide administrators depending on the defendant source.
Board members discussed timing and the budget cycle; staff encouraged departments to prepare proposals around the June–July budget cycle so approved items can be incorporated into next-year budgets. Staff said some counties have begun spending more aggressively while others, including Dodge County, are taking a more measured approach. Staff committed to distributing the policy and updated projections (including projected payment streams by defendant) to the Human Services and Health Board members.
