Finance committee backs emergency authorization to accept 10 additional opioid settlements and to permit future participation
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Summary
The committee recommended emergency council action to accept 10 new state-negotiated opioid settlements, authorize participation in future similar settlements that meet state terms, and noted funds are restricted to treatment, prevention and narrow enforcement uses, not the general fund.
Todd Siebert, chairman of the Finance Committee, said the committee considered authorization to accept additional opioid settlements and to allow the city to participate in future state-negotiated settlements that meet state terms.
City staff member Bridal told the committee the state began negotiating settlements in 2021 and the city has participated in nine settlements to date. “Since that time, council has approved our participation in 9 of them. We have received 10 more,” Bridal said.
Bridal said each settlement has required council approval and staff seeks authorization both for the 10 new settlements and for an amendment that would allow the city to participate automatically in future settlements provided they meet the state’s terms. Bridal said the law director advised including that clause because notifications come through the state and the state would have vetted the settlements.
Committee members asked about the dollar amounts and permitted uses. Bridal said amounts vary by settlement and participation; “the lowest one that I've seen in an annual basis is around $2,500 anywhere from 2,500 to maybe 5 to $6,000 a year.” Bridal said settlement funds go into a special fund with a narrow set of allowable uses tied to treatment and prevention. “It does not go into the general fund,” Bridal said. Bridal noted there is a limited enforcement category but the funds are primarily for treatment, prevention, education, training and intervention. Bridal said nonprofit groups cannot draw directly from the city’s settlement funds; some state-set-aside regional pots are administered by county/regional mechanisms and nonprofits can apply to those programs separately.
Council member Phillips asked whether the city buys Narcan with the funds. The committee discussion noted Narcan is part of drug kits and police cruisers carry naloxone, but staff said purchase of Narcan specifically with settlement money was not confirmed in the discussion.
The committee voted to recommend emergency council approval so the pending 10 settlements could be accepted and future participation authorized. Miss Westfall moved to proceed; Council member Shelley voiced support; the committee issued a unanimous recommendation to move forward with emergency legislation.
