Wichita County Commissioners on July 29 authorized the county judge to sign a Sandoz participation form related to opioid litigation settlement talks following a closed-session briefing under the Texas Government Code.

The court entered closed session at about 10:33 a.m. to discuss settlement of opioid-related claims from Sandoz Incorporated under Texas Government Code section 551.071 (consultation with attorney about pending or contemplated litigation). After returning to open session, commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize the county judge to execute the Sandoz Participation Form and to approve a related resolution.

Commissioner Beauchamp moved to approve both the resolution and the participation form; Commissioner Fincannon seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The court did not provide details of the terms during open session; the discussion and negotiation specifics were handled in closed session as permitted by statute.

The resolution and the participation form were described in open session as distinct documents but related to the same settlement participation. No dollar amounts or distribution language were read into the public record during the open meeting discussion.