Romulus council authorizes signing of opioid settlement documents, sets aside funds for related programs

Romulus City Council on Aug. 25 authorized the mayor and clerk to sign the city's share of opioid settlement documents and directed that settlement receipts be placed in a separate account for programs related to the opioid crisis. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Council members and the mayor said the funds must be used for programs tied to the opioid epidemic and that a mayor-appointed advisory committee will develop recommendations for council review. The council authorized the administration to accept settlement payments as they arrive.

Why it matters: opioid settlement money is restricted by the settlement terms. How the city chooses to spend the funds will determine whether money goes to prevention, treatment, equipment or other eligible activities that affect public health and public safety in Romulus.

Mayor (name not specified) told council the settlement money "has to be used for things that are related to the opioid epidemic. So things like counseling for people who have an opioid problem, families that were affected by the opioid problem, education on opioid use, and buying equipment related to the opioid." She said the administration will hold the money in a separate account and convene a committee to recommend spending priorities to council.

Councilwoman Susan Talley and other members asked for clarity about how much the city will receive and who will manage the programmatic decisions. The mayor and council attorney said the timing and amounts depend on the wider settlement payments and that some manufacturers'and distributors'payments are structured over many years. The mayor also said Romulus already has "a couple 100,000" dollars in the account from prior settlements.

Councilmembers said they want the advisory group to return to council with spending proposals once the administration and the committee have concrete options. The mayor added that state and county distributions from the larger settlement process may provide additional resources that could be coordinated with city efforts.

The motion was made by Councilwoman Roscoe and seconded by Councilwoman Talley; the vote was recorded as unanimous in favor.

Council did not adopt specific spending decisions at the meeting; instead, it accepted the settlement documents and set aside funds for future, council-approved programs.