Alpena County board approves opioid-settlement participation, sheriff radio purchase and police labor contract

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 26, 2025, voted to participate in multiple national opioid settlement agreements, approved a plan to purchase radios for the Sheriff’s Office, reallocated patrol vehicle reserve funds for broader use and ratified the Police Officers Labor Council contract.

The board adopted Resolution #25-14, authorizing Alpena County to enter the Purdue/Sackler participation agreement and a Michigan state-subdivision allocation agreement. The resolution describes the Purdue/Sackler proposals as providing “equitable and monetary relief,” including a cited provision that the Sackler Family Defendants would pay $6.5 billion over the next 15 years and that the Purdue estate would contribute approximately $900 million. The board also authorized the Weitz & Luxenberg law firm to vote on the county’s behalf in the Purdue bankruptcy plan. The motion to adopt Resolution #25-14 was moved by Commissioner Todd Britton and supported by Commissioner Bill LaHaie; the motion carried.

The board next approved Resolution #25-15, authorizing participation agreements for settlements with eight additional pharmaceutical companies (Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Zydus) and a Michigan allocation agreement. The resolution lists payment schedules and settlement terms intended to fund opioid-abatement and prevention strategies; the motion to adopt Resolution #25-15 was moved by Commissioner Britton and supported by Commissioner LaHaie and carried.

On public-safety spending, County Administrator Jesse Osmer told commissioners radios for the Sheriff’s Office had been budgeted in prior years but not purchased and are now projected to cost approximately $220,000. The board approved a recommendation authorizing the administrator, working with the treasurer, to make necessary budget transfers and adjustments to purchase the radios for an amount not to exceed $220,000, with required sign-off by the board chair or the chair of Finance, Ways & Means. In a related vote the board approved reassigning the purpose of funds in the Patrol Vehicle Reserve line so those funds may be used for purposes other than vehicle replacement.

The board approved a budget adjustment request from the Director of Emergency Management and E911 Services to transfer $20,000 from E‑911 Improvements to Dispatcher Overtime to cover overtime while a retirement is filled. That motion carried by roll call.

Commissioner Lucille Bray moved and Commissioner Dan Ludlow supported approval of the Police Officers Labor Council contract and authorized the chairman and county administrator to sign related documents; that contract approval carried by roll call.

Votes on motions were recorded by roll call where noted: routine financial and personnel motions passed with Commissioners LaHaie, Ludlow, Bray, Britton and Kozlowski recorded as voting aye in the listed roll calls; several commissioners were recorded as excused for some votes.

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.