King and Queen County approves participation in proposed Kroger opioid settlement
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Summary
The Board approved a resolution directing county counsel to join a nationwide settlement with Kroger for opioid-related claims and to allocate any proceeds under the Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and the Virginia MOU; the vote was unanimous.
The King and Queen County Board of Supervisors voted July 8 to participate in a proposed nationwide settlement of opioid-related claims against Kroger and related corporate entities, directing the county attorney and outside counsel to execute documents necessary to effectuate participation.
The resolution, introduced by County Administrator Ms. Seay, says the opioid epidemic has imposed costs on county services including emergency medical, law enforcement, criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse programs. It notes that the county has filed suit against Kroger and seeks to recover public funds expended and to be expended to address opioid-related harms. The resolution states the county's participation will be administered under the Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and the Virginia memorandum of understanding (the "Virginia MOU"), consistent with prior settlements with distributors and manufacturers.
Mr. Berry moved the resolution and Ms. Alsop seconded. The motion passed unanimously with the recorded vote: AYES: S.C. Alsop; J.L. Simpkins; M.R. Berry; M.H. Norman; C.R. Billups. The resolution directs the county attorney and/or outside counsel to execute settlement documents and to accept any required release of claims against Kroger.
Board members did not record additional conditions or amendments on the floor during the meeting. The resolution cites outside opioid litigation counsel's recommendation to participate; the county attorney concurred after reviewing available information. The resolution also states that the settlement proposal would cause Kroger to pay over a billion dollars nationwide, and that the county's share will be allocated in accordance with the Virginia MOU.
The Board adopted the resolution on July 8, 2024, with no recorded dissent. The county did not specify the county's estimated share, timetable for receipt of funds, or an expenditure plan at the meeting; those details are to be governed by the Virginia MOU and subsequent allocation processes.