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Vienna opts into remnant-defendant national opioid settlement; timing and payout unspecified
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Summary
The city adopted a resolution to opt into a remnant-defendant national opioid settlement that could produce one-time funds restricted to approved opioid abatement strategies; officials said amounts and timing remain unknown and one councilor abstained because of a prior role in the original settlement.
Vienna’s common council adopted a resolution authorizing the city to opt into the national remnant-defendant opioid settlement and authorizing the mayor to execute the required participation and release forms, staff said.
The resolution lists a set of remnant defendants and states that eligible entities must affirmatively opt in to receive any allocation. Staff cautioned that the city does not yet know the amount of any future allocation or the payment schedule because totals depend on how many entities participate and the timing of final distributions.
A city staff member summarized that the remnant-defendant settlement includes several regional distributors and wholesalers and that, if funds are distributed to remnant defendants, the money must be used for approved opioid abatement strategies. “This document actually has a section of priorities and spending and less treatment and recovery is the 2 top priorities,” a staff speaker said.
During discussion one councilor asked whether the city has a timeframe for receiving funds; staff replied there is no set amount or schedule at the moment. One councilor disclosed an appearance conflict and abstained from the vote because they had been an attorney on the original settlement; the clerk recorded the remainder of the council as voting to adopt the resolution.
Councilors said opting in preserves the city’s ability to receive any potential allocation while staff and council will later decide on allowable uses consistent with the settlement terms. The council recorded the resolution as adopted and authorized the mayor to execute related documents.
