Ways and Means Committee OKs resolution to accept part of $550,000 Value Drug Company opioid settlement

The Allegany County Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 11 approved a resolution authorizing the county to accept a portion of a $550,000 settlement from Value Drug Company and to authorize the board chair to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the agreement.

The county attorney told the committee, “This would be a portion of a settlement amount totaling $550,000.” The attorney also said the county has been told the payment would be made in a single lump sum and that “there are no reporting requirements, and there are no restrictions on the use of the funds,” adding the county may use the money for opioid remediation among other permissible purposes.

The measure was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The attorney said the outside counsel handling the broader settlement distribution would need to confirm the county's specific share; the exact dollar amount that will be paid to Allegany County was not available during the meeting.

Why it matters: opioid settlements channel money to local governments for remediation, treatment and prevention programs. Committee members moved the resolution to ensure the county could accept funds and proceed with any required local actions once the distribution amount is confirmed.

Next steps: outside counsel will notify the county of its precise share and the county will publish any required documentation before disbursing funds. The committee took no other action related to allocation or reporting at this meeting.