Chris, a representative of the Attorney General’s Office, told the Kansas Fights Addiction Board that the office is planning a one-day conference for municipalities participating in the municipal portion of opioid settlements to share how communities are using their funds and to discuss collaboration and operational strategies.

The meeting will be organized by the Attorney General’s Office with Sunflower and the Opioid Resource Network. “We’re finalizing the details now. It should be able to make an announcement of all the details next month, late next month,” Chris said.

Chris also reviewed a planning document titled “Opioid Settlement Payment Estimation Table by Calendar Year,” which projects how much money the statewide settlement program may generate beginning in calendar year 2025. He said the table shows the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund (KFAF) is expected to receive “around around $14,500,000” starting in 2025, and that the municipal fund allocations are also shown on the chart.

The office emphasized the projection is a planning tool, not a final accounting. “This chart is just an estimate. It is entirely possible these estimates will be, wrong,” Chris said, adding that the farther into the future the table projects, the less reliable it is. He listed risks that could change the amounts: unresolved bankruptcies (he explicitly referenced the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy), settlements that have not been finally ordered by a court (he noted the Kroger settlement has been reached but not finally ordered), companies accelerating or delaying payments, and possible administrative fees charged by the National Settlement Administrator.

Chris said the table omitted actual recoveries for 2021–24 because the document is meant for forward-looking planning; a full report with historical recoveries can be produced on request.

Board members discussed the potential for the conference to be a forum where cities and counties can present collaborative projects that might use municipal opioid funds. A board member suggested the presentation should indicate the board’s interest in collaboration so municipal officials know to bring potential projects to the table.

Staff and board members were also alerted that reporters have shown interest in the RFP process. Chris said, “Just know you may receive a contact from 1 or more reporters that may have questions for you just about the board process.”

Why this matters: The settlement projections and the planned municipal conference affect how local governments will plan and coordinate spending of settlement dollars. The projection’s caveats mean local budgets that count on steady settlement revenue could face changes depending on court orders and company payment behavior.

What’s next: The Attorney General’s Office expects to provide more details on the municipal conference in February and a fuller update at the board’s March meeting. Staff offered to produce a fuller table including actual recoveries for board planning if requested.

Ending: Board members expressed interest in the conference and in using the event to pilot collaborative grantmaking models; the Attorney General’s Office and partners will return with more details at upcoming meetings.