County attorney presents Publix opioid settlement; commissioners press for quicker disbursement to programs
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Summary
County Attorney Catherine Barbieri recommended approving a proposed settlement with Publix as part of the county’s opioid litigation recovery and said funds will be used to support local opioid programs; commissioners sought clarity on timing and staff said a reconstituted funding committee expects to make recommendations in 30–60 days after RFP qualification and quorum are achieved.
County Attorney Catherine Barbieri briefed commissioners on a proposed Publix settlement in the county’s ongoing opioid litigation and recommended the board authorize execution of necessary documents to accept settlement funds for local opioid programs.
Commissioners pressed staff on timing for distributing funds to treatment and prevention programs. Staff explained the county reconstituted its funding committee after several members disclosed potential conflicts with applicants; the Health Department has been reviewing RFP submittals and qualifying agencies to return recommendations to the committee. Staff said, once a quorum is established, the committee should meet within roughly 30–60 days to make award recommendations, after which the board will ratify awards and contracting can begin.
Commissioners and other officials noted frustration that funds had been slow to reach service providers despite being the product of multi‑year litigation and substantial settlements; one commissioner clarified this was a regional component of the Attorney General’s action and that the county expected millions to flow over an 18‑year schedule. The board approved the staff recommendation to accept the settlement and authorize chair signatory authority as presented in the packet.
Next steps: staff to reconvene the funding committee, finalize RFP qualification recommendations, and bring awards to the board for ratification so contracting and disbursements can follow.