Durham commissioners authorize county attorney to execute opioid litigation settlement documents

Following a closed-session legal consultation about the National Opioid Litigation, the Durham County Board of Commissioners on July 8 authorized the County Attorney — interim or permanent — to execute documents and agreements necessary to implement negotiated settlements, including a current negotiated settlement with Kroger.

The Board adjourned into closed session under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with counsel about attorney-client privileged matters in the national opioid litigation. Upon reconvening, Commissioner Heidi Carter moved, seconded by Commissioner Brenda Howerton, to approve a resolution authorizing the County Attorney to execute necessary settlement documents related to the negotiated Kroger settlement and future settlements with other defendants in the litigation. The motion carried unanimously.

The resolution delegates execution authority to the County Attorney and preserves confidentiality consistent with applicable law; it does not disclose settlement amounts or terms in open session. The Board recorded the vote and directed staff to continue legal coordination as appropriate.