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Smyth County accepts proposed opioid settlement framework and approves several budget committee recommendations
Summary
The board voted unanimously to accept a proposed national settlement framework with opioid distributors ($97 million nationwide) and approved budget committee recommendations including a $38,930.98 rollover for Rich Valley Fairgrounds, $26,000 in opioid abatement funds for school‑based prevention, and a $349,972 budget amendment covering CSA and behavioral health court grants.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted a proposed national opioid settlement framework on March 12 and approved multiple budget committee recommendations advancing local spending priorities.
County Attorney Eric Barton told the board the settlement proposal involves six regional distributors and totals about $97 million nationwide. "Our council for this ... recommends we accept this settlement," Barton said; the county’s share was not specified at the meeting.
Budget approvals: The board approved several committee recommendations: rolling $38,930.98 of unspent Rich Valley Fairgrounds grant/loan funding into FY27 to finish planned projects; providing $26,000 in opioid abatement direct distribution funds to expand a school‑based substance‑use prevention program to all county schools in FY27; and approving a budget amendment totaling $349,972 that includes $200,000 for CSA support and $149,972 in grant funding for a new behavioral health court program led by the commonwealth’s attorney.
Why it matters: The opioid settlement framework, if finalized, will provide Smyth County with a share of nationwide distributions intended for abatement and recovery programs; the county will still need legal‑counsel guidance and to accept the settlement documents to secure funds. The committee‑led budget items allocate existing or restricted funds (opioid direct distribution and grants) to local programs serving students and behavioral‑health initiatives.
Board action: Counsel requested authority to sign settlement documents on the county’s behalf; the board moved, seconded and voted to accept the settlement framework and authorized the county attorney to sign. The budget items were recommended by committee and approved by the board in voice votes.
Next steps: County staff will work with legal counsel to determine Smyth County’s specific settlement share and the timeline for receipt and allowable uses of the funds; departments will report back on implementation plans for the opioid abatement expansion and the behavioral health court grant.
