County board delegates authority to accept opioid settlements after heated debate; consent agenda approves grants and easements

The Winnebago County Board voted to delegate authority to the county executive to accept certain opioid-settlement participation agreements recommended by the national plaintiffs' committee, with a procedural change requiring annual reauthorization by the Judiciary & Public Safety Committee and the full board.

The resolution (filed as 0165-07-2025) was the focus of a lengthy debate. Mary Anne Mueller, corporation counsel, told the board that the county had previously authorized national representation and that recent settlements required quick responses from counties that wished to participate. "For the avoidance of doubt, Winnebago County is basically, seeking to adopt this resolution confirming and ratifying the original law firm's authority to add opioid defendants," she said during the discussion on a related resolution.

Opponents on the board objected to ceding authority away from the legislative body. Supervisor Gustafson said he preferred committee review before authorizing the executive to accept settlement terms. Supervisor Hance said he was concerned about "giving up our duties" and asked the board not to repeatedly delegate powers. Supporters argued the process preserves the county's ability to access widely negotiated national settlements without repeated special meetings. After a motion to refer the resolution back to the JPS committee failed, the board adopted an amendment requiring annual reauthorization by JPS and the county board, and then passed the amended resolution by recorded vote: 27 in favor, 4 opposed.

Several other items on the consent agenda were approved. Key outcomes included:

- Resolution 0158072025: Acceptance of a $350,000 Wisconsin Department of Justice Bureau of Justice grant for the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative (CASAP) "Carried" at roll call; committees had approved it unanimously prior to the board vote.

- Resolution 0159072025: Authorization to apply for $280,000 in federal Safe Streets and Roads for All planning funds to pay for a consultant to prepare a countywide safety plan, using $70,000 in in-kind matching staff time. The resolution passed but recorded one nay during the roll call.

- Resolution 0162072025: Easement with the City of Oshkosh to preserve an outdoor warning siren at 929 Winnebago Ave. Approved on voice vote.

- Resolution 0163072025: A request to include $120,000 in the 2026 county budget for National Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund support for the sheriff's contracting with Solutions Recovery Inc.; the board approved the request that will be considered during the budget process.

The board also confirmed and ratified earlier authority for the county's opioid litigation team to add additional defendants (resolution 0164-07-2025); that resolution carried with one recorded nay.

Opponents and supporters alike noted time pressures: staff and outside counsel reported active settlement windows for entities such as Purdue and Sandoz with Sept. 30 deadlines and other firms showing deadlines into October. Several supervisors urged that the county continue oversight and that any executed settlements be reported to the board and corporation counsel in advance. The amendment requiring annual reauthorization responds directly to those oversight concerns.

The board's action will allow the county to participate in ongoing national opioid settlements that are being processed by the national plaintiffs' committee while ensuring yearly legislative review of the delegated authority.