Beaufort County caucus authorizes administrator to sign settlement with six opioid manufacturers

At its March 23 caucus, the Beaufort County council authorized the county administrator to execute a settlement agreement and all related participation documents with six remaining pharmaceutical defendants in the national opioid litigation.

The action followed executive session discussion. McAllen moved that "council authorize the county administrator to execute the settlement agreement and all related participation forms and documents related to the 6 remaining pharmaceutical drug manufacturing corporations in the opioid litigation," listing Associated Pharmacies; J.M. Smith Company; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company; Morris and Dickerson; North Carolina Wholesale Drug Company; and UNFI Supervalue. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The nut of the motion authorizes the administrator to complete participation paperwork so Beaufort County can take the settlement terms discussed in executive session. The council did not read the settlement terms aloud during the caucus; the transcript records only the motion authorizing execution of the agreement and related documents.

County leaders did not specify a payment amount, distribution schedule, or timetable during the public caucus. The transcript shows no recorded dissents on this motion and indicates the vote was unanimous; individual vote tallies were not provided.

The council’s next procedural step, as stated in the meeting, is for the county administrator to execute the settlement documents as authorized. The caucus adjourned and the regular meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.