Rowlett council approves participation in Purdue and generic opioid settlements

The Rowlett City Council unanimously approved two resolutions on Sept. 16 authorizing the city to participate in opioid litigation settlements and to submit required participation and release forms.

City attorney Victoria Thomas explained that the state’s settlements allocate a portion of settlement funds to counties and cities and that the city must sign participation forms to claim its share. "This allows us to then tell the state, yes, we want to participate," she said, describing the paperwork and noting the city does not yet know its final distribution amount.

Council first adopted a resolution to participate in the Purdue settlement and to authorize the city manager to execute the required forms. Council then approved a separate resolution to participate in consolidated settlements with multiple generic manufacturers (listed in the agenda packet). Thomas said the state distributes 15% to counties and cities, with the remaining funds allocated to an opioid trust for other uses.

Both resolutions passed on unanimous voice votes. Council motion language and participation forms were approved so the city may receive its share when the distribution amounts are finalized and to ensure any recovered funds are used for opioid‑remediation purposes permitted under the settlement agreements.

What’s next: City staff will file participation forms and monitor distribution schedules from the state and trust administrators; funding must be used in programs that address opioid impacts in the community.