Marathon County committee approves joining Sandoz opioid settlement and backs delegating future signings to corporation counsel

The Marathon County executive committee authorized corporation counsel to complete a participation form for the Sandoz opioid settlement and voted to forward a resolution delegating authority to sign future opioid settlement participation forms to a designated county official.

The action matters because joining the Sandoz settlement would let the county receive a portion of the settlement funds earmarked for addressing harms from the opioid epidemic; committee members also agreed to send a resolution to the full county board that would allow a specified official to sign similar participation forms in the future.

At the meeting, a county attorney appearing remotely explained the county has been part of multi‑party litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors and that outside counsel recommends participation in the Sandoz settlement. The attorney said completing the settlement participation form before the vendor deadline is required “or we don't get to share in the proceeds of the settlement.” He added the proceeds “can be used for the limited purposes of addressing issues that have arisen in the county due to the opioid epidemic.”

Supervisor Robinson asked about the settlement size and the county's likely share, saying, “this looks like it's a $99,000,000 $99,500,000 settlement. Do we have any inclination as to what our share will be after you get the 75% that'll go to local governments?” The county attorney replied, “I don't have the number at this point. It would be a obviously, percentage portion of that total amount. I don't have those numbers. As soon as I get them, I will share them.”

Following that exchange, the committee voted unanimously to authorize corporation counsel to complete the Sandoz Settlement Participation Form so Marathon County can participate. Later in the same agenda item sequence, committee members considered a related resolution that would delegate authority to sign opioid settlement participation forms in the future to a designated county officer. Supervisor Boots recommended that authority rest with corporation counsel; a motion reflecting that recommendation was seconded and carried unanimously and the resolution will be forwarded to the county board for final action.

No dollar amount for Marathon County's share was provided at the meeting, and committee members did not adopt a final allocation plan for any future settlement proceeds. The county attorney said he will report back with specific share estimates when those figures are available.

The committee took both votes during its operational functions agenda and recorded the motions and unanimous carries; both items were described in the meeting as related steps in the county's participation in national opioid litigation.