Rutherford County votes to join amended Tennessee opioid abatement settlements

Rutherford County commissioners voted unanimously by roll call to adopt a resolution authorizing the county to join amendments to the Tennessee State Subdivision opioid abatement agreement and to approve related settlement agreements.

Chairman Harris, who also described himself as chair of the county's opioid abatement board, said the resolution would add settlements from eight manufacturers and continue the county's ongoing approach to receiving and allocating settlement proceeds.

"This is a new opportunity that has presented itself similar to the ones we've already taken advantage of in the past," Chairman Harris said. The meeting did not include dollar amounts for the new settlements; the chairman said he did not have the proceeds numbers on any of those settlements.

Commissioners Kush, Beverly, McDooy, Wilson, Johnson, Reed and Chairman Harris were recorded voting yes on the roll call. The transcript records the outcome as approved by roll call.

The resolution directs the county to join the amended statewide agreement and authorizes the county's participation in the related settlements. The opioid abatement board will receive settlement proceeds and implement allocation consistent with prior practice and the county's opioid abatement plan. Specific amounts and allocation details were not provided at the meeting and will be reported as funds are received.

Chairman Harris said the change "is the same thing we've been going through for the last four years" and that the county expects follow-up reporting once proceeds are known.

The commission recorded this as a formal roll-call vote; most other items at the meeting passed by voice vote.