Adams County’s Administration and Finance Committee voted to send a resolution to the county board approving participation in a tentative national opioid‑litigation settlement with Sandoz Inc. and related subsidiaries.

Corp counsel told the committee the settlement totals $99 million and that the county must pass a resolution authorizing the county board chair or county administrator to execute a standard subdivision participation form. The county’s law firm on the litigation, Krieger Dickinson, “strongly recommend[s] that we participate,” counsel said, but counsel also said the committee does not yet know how much Adams County will receive because proceeds will be divided among participating jurisdictions.

Why this matters: opioid litigation settlements distribute funds among states, counties and municipalities to support abatement and related programs. At this stage, the committee’s action only authorizes participation; distribution amounts will be determined after participation forms are returned and allocations are calculated.

What the committee decided

Corp counsel summarized the settlement and the participation process, listing companies covered under the Sandoz umbrella and noting the county’s litigation counsel recommended participation. Supervisor Edwards moved to approve the resolution; Supervisor Taylor seconded the motion. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote and will forward it to the county board.

Next steps

After the county returns the participation form, the settlement administrator will calculate allocations once all participating subdivisions are known. Corp counsel said the county does not yet know its potential share of the $99,000,000 settlement.

Ending

The committee’s approval sends the county’s authorization to participate to the full county board; allocation and use of any funds will be determined later, after participation is confirmed and distribution formulas are applied.