Council joins additional national opioid settlements and directs city attorney to execute participation documents

Poquoson City Council unanimously authorized participation in newly proposed nationwide opioid settlements and directed the city attorney to execute documents necessary to complete enrollment.

City Attorney Wayne Moore told council these settlements operate through state distribution: the state receives settlement funds and then allocates each locality's share. Moore said the city has participated in earlier settlements and recommended full participation in this round, which covers manufacturers and distributors that have joined the national agreements.

City Manager Randy Wheeler described permissible local uses for settlement funds: expenditures must be directly related to opioid‑abatement activities and are generally prospective rather than retroactive reimbursements for past expenses. Wheeler said previous local uses have included police testing equipment; officials are also exploring multi‑agency programs connecting social services, schools and nonprofits for prevention and treatment initiatives.

Council voted 7–0 to approve participation in settlements with the named manufacturers and to authorize the city attorney and outside counsel to execute documents to effectuate the city's participation. Moore reminded council that each settlement has its own reporting and administration requirements and that the settlement agent will oversee distributions and compliance reporting.

Next steps: city staff will work with the settlement administrator to register the city's participation, track allowable uses, and prepare required reports.