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Committee forwards two opioid-settlement resolutions and RBHA performance contract to full council with recommendation to approve
Summary
The Richmond Education and Human Services Standing Committee voted to forward two opioid-settlement resolutions and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority's two-year performance contract to city council with recommendations to approve; recorded committee votes were unanimous among members who cast votes
The Richmond Education and Human Services Standing Committee voted to forward three items to city council with recommendations to approve: two resolutions to participate in opioid-related settlements and the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) fiscal-year performance contract for 2026–27.
Opioid settlements: Anna Jones, the city’s opioid response strategist, told the committee the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority estimates the two newest settlements will provide about $1,600,000 to the city over 15 years if Richmond participates. The committee considered two resolutions: Resolution 2025 R-036 to participate in proposed settlements with several generic-drug manufacturers (listed in the draft) and Resolution 2025 R-037 to participate in a proposed settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler parties. Both resolutions authorize the city to execute documents necessary to participate, including required releases of claims. The committee voted to forward both resolutions to council with the recommendation to approve; recorded votes listed Councilmember Bretson and Vice Chair Jones as voting “Aye.” The motions and seconds were noted in the record but the motion and seconding members were not recorded by name in the transcript.
RBHA performance contract: Christy Zedd, chief executive officer of Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, presented RBHA’s performance contract with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which establishes funding and service expectations for mental health, substance-use and developmental-disability services in the community. Zedd said RBHA serves more than 13,000 residents annually and that the authority is the statutory safety-net body for behavioral health services in the city. The committee voted to forward Resolution 2025 R-038 (RBHA performance contract for fiscal years 2026–27) to full council with recommendation to approve; recorded votes listed Councilmember (recorded in the transcript as) “Mister Bridal” and Vice Chair Jones as voting “Aye.”
The committee recorded the motions and brief public‑hearing steps for these items; no members of the public spoke for or against the opioid settlements or RBHA contract during the committee’s public hearings. Each resolution will return to full council for final action.
