County staff updated the Scott County Fiscal Court July 11 on statewide opioid litigation settlements and asked the court to authorize participation. Cam (a county staff member working with litigation counsel) said national opioid litigation teams recommended local governmental entities opt into three components: the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy/Sackler settlement (about $8 billion nationally), a Sackler-release governmental entity settlement document, and a separate settlement covering nine additional opioid defendants that totals approximately $1.2 billion nationally.

The court voted to participate in each recommended settlement. The court also authorized an identified county official (Joe Pat) to sign the governmental entity settlement agreement that effectuates acceptance of the Sackler release so the county can receive any allocated funds. The court noted that settlement payments to jurisdictions will be distributed over time — spread over roughly a decade — and that staff will report back with information about how the funds are allocated between cities and the county as allocations are confirmed.

Magistrates and staff noted local programs that previously received opioid-related funding (for example, a net-device project and community-based medication-assisted treatment support) and discussed using future funds for addiction treatment, prevention and public education.

Actions: the court passed three motions, each approving participation in the three settlement items and authorizing local acceptance steps.