Commissioners vote to accept Purdue/Sackler settlement participation; county attorney to clarify allowable uses

Hardin County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to accept the county’s participation form for the Purdue and Sackler opioid settlement and authorized the county judge to execute the release, while asking county legal staff to clarify how any future settlements may be spent locally.

An outside presenter recommended acceptance of the settlement participation form and cautioned that the county cannot at present determine how much it will receive because funds are being distributed through bankruptcy proceedings. The presenter said accepting the settlement preserves the county’s right to any distribution; failing to accept could preclude participation in the bankruptcy resolution.

Commissioners discussed prior attempts to spend opioid-settlement proceeds and recent changes in guidance from the Office of the Attorney General and other advisors. County Attorney Matthew Minnick and other staff told the court they want clearer written guidance on what purchases qualify as opioid‑related spending; the sheriff’s office and auditor also have raised questions after being told some proposed purchases might not now qualify. Commissioner Kuykendahl asked county counsel to follow up with the attorney general’s office for precise, up‑to‑date instructions on eligible expenditures.

The court approved the motion to accept the release by voice vote; the transcript records an aye vote and no opposition. Commissioners emphasized they are holding current opioid payments in reserve until the county receives explicit guidance on allowable uses. County officials said they will convene follow‑up discussions with the county attorney, the auditor, and the sheriff to identify permissible projects and report back to the court.

Because the settlement is part of a bankruptcy process, the presenter said the county cannot at this time state an exact allocation amount; the court recorded no dollar figure for Hardin County on the record.