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Council authorizes city to participate in new round of opioid settlement funds
Summary
Outside counsel told council there is no deadline to spend future opioid settlement funds once received; council authorized participation in the latest proposed settlement round.
Georgetown City Council on Sept. 22 voted to authorize the city to participate in a new round of proposed settlements in national opioid litigation, city staff and outside counsel said.
Attorney Michael Grafhorn, outside counsel on the matter, told the council the city’s decision at the meeting was to participate in the proposed settlement so the city can receive a share of any funds allocated in that round. He said there is no statutory deadline requiring the city to spend received funds immediately: as long as the funds are maintained in the city’s account for opioid litigation proceeds, the council can later decide how to allocate them.
Grafhorn said spending deadlines apply to defendant payout cycles rather than to local governments that receive funds under the settlement. Councilmembers asked whether participating imposes any obligated uses or timing for the money; counsel said no deadlines apply to the city’s receipt and holding of settlement funds.
The council voted to authorize participation by voice vote. City staff said this action is similar to prior rounds the council has approved in the larger litigation.
