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Finance committee items: council affirms joining PBM defendants in opioid case, authorizes property acquisitions and several grants and discretionary awards
Summary
Berkeley County Council on Monday affirmed counsel's authority to add pharmaceutical benefits managers as defendants in the county's opioid litigation, authorized certain property acquisitions, and approved grants and fee-discretionary awards including $185,000 for an adaptive playground at Devon Forest Elementary.
Berkeley County Council on Monday approved several finance-committee recommendations: it affirmed county counsel's authority to seek leave to add pharmaceutical benefits managers (PBMs) as defendants in the county's pending opioid litigation; authorized the county supervisor to acquire properties for parks in Council Districts 8 and 4 as discussed in executive session; and approved multiple grants, change orders and fee-discretionary funding requests.
On the opioid litigation matter, Councilwoman Amy Stern moved to confirm that counsel was appropriately authorized to join a motion for leave to add PBM defendants to Berkeley County's case. The motion carried by voice vote. The motion text referenced a February filing but the meeting record did not provide the exact filing date or a detailed legal memorandum in open session.
Property acquisitions: the council authorized the County Supervisor to acquire unspecified properties in Council Districts 8 and 4 at the amounts discussed in executive session. The meeting record notes the authorization but does not state parcel identifiers or purchase amounts on the public record.
Grants and discretionary funding: council approved a $449,000 Military Enhancement Grant (Phase II) for completion of design and permitting work related to the short-stay recreation-area wastewater treatment project; staff clarified this funding is for final design, easement/acquisition costs and permitting, not construction. A change order (PCO) for the Moncks Corner Baptist Church soup kitchen mop sink for $882.61 was approved for PY25 funding. The council also approved fee discretionary allocations including a request not to exceed $185,000 for an adaptive playground at Devon Forest Elementary School, with contributions listed on the record: $20,000 from Councilman Dan Owens, $30,000 from Councilman Jared Brooks, $30,000 from Councilman Tommy Newell, $75,000 from Councilwoman Amy Stern, $5,000 from Councilman Caldwell Pinkney and $25,000 from Supervisor Johnny Cribb. Other discretionary awards approved included up to $15,000 to Somerville Dream and $2,500 to the City of Goose Creek (purpose recorded as "for a goose at Berkeley County Senior Center").
Rescissions and reallocations: council approved rescinding a previously approved $30,000 allocation awarded in November 2024 to Bono Horseshoe Community and reallocating that $30,000 back to Council District 8 AFE discretionary funds; the record shows the recipient requested return of the funds.
Why it matters: these actions authorize litigation strategy, property acquisition authority, and the use of county and grant funds for infrastructure and community projects. Several items referenced amounts and uses but deferred parcel-level or contract-level specifics to executive session or future staff actions.
Ending: Council approved the motions on voice votes and directed staff and counsel to proceed under the authorizations recorded in open session.
