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Council approves resolutions to accept opioid manufacturer settlement funds
Summary
Bristol’s City Council approved two resolutions accepting portions of multi-state opioid-manufacturer settlements, a step councilmembers described as overdue though the city’s share is small.
On Aug. 12, 2025, Bristol Virginia City Council unanimously approved two resolutions to accept settlement payments tied to national bankruptcies and settlements involving opioid manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma and a group of other manufacturers named in the memorandum presented to council.
Outside counsel who represents localities in Virginia advised the city to accept the settlements, staff said. According to the city presentation, Bristol’s share was described in the meeting as a small fraction of the total settlement; staff characterized the city portion as “not a huge dollar” but part of a larger statewide distribution that, as presented, amounts to about $16,000,000 allocated to the state of Virginia from the settlements.
Council discussion framed the action as overdue and as a mechanism to generate funds that affected communities can use to address addiction and its consequences. One councilmember said the manufacturers “produced some very harmful medications … that contributed to a lot of the addiction” affecting Appalachia and the rest of the country, and expressed relief that settlements were moving toward resolution.
A motion to approve the resolutions passed unanimously in roll call. Clerk votes recorded the five councilmembers present as voting yes.
Staff did not provide at the meeting a city-level dollar figure for Bristol’s share beyond describing it as a small percentage of the total and recommended acceptance of the settlements as presented. Council did not adopt any specific local spending plan during the meeting; staff and outside counsel noted that settlement funds typically have rules governing allowable uses and distribution schedules.
