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Fountain Council authorizes participation in opioid‑settlement releases
Summary
The council approved Resolution 26‑024 authorizing the city attorney to sign releases to participate in settlements with six remnant defendants in opioid litigation; the regional opioid council will oversee distribution and funds must be used for abatement purposes, not streets.
The Fountain City Council on April 28 authorized the city attorney to sign releases allowing the city to participate in settlements with six remnant defendants named in national and state opioid litigation.
City attorney Mister Strider told the council the resolution grants him authority to e‑sign settlement releases related to defendants who have not previously entered into settlement agreements with state attorneys general or subdivisions. He explained that Fountain is an eligible plaintiff and that settlements provide funds that must be used for opioid abatement purposes and in compliance with the intergovernmental agreement establishing a regional opioid council for distribution and oversight.
Strider outlined permissible uses under the settlement framework, noting funds cannot be used for general street repairs but can support harm‑reduction and treatment programs: “you can't use the funds to fix streets. You can use the funds to operate a needle exchange program or additional personnel for law enforcement … or to open a treatment center,” he said. The council approved the resolution unanimously (vote recorded as 7 yes).
