Lancaster Council joins remaining defendants in national opioid settlement

Lancaster City Council voted unanimously April 20 to authorize the mayor to join remaining defendants in the national opioid distributor settlements, a move officials said will allow the city to recover settlement funds tied to the broader multidistrict litigation. Ms. Smiley, speaking for the Law Committee, said the resolution authorizes the mayor to "act on behalf of the city" to enter agreements necessary to participate in the settlements.

The measure, Temporary Resolution 38-26, names a set of distributors remaining in the litigation and was presented as a path to secure municipal recovery without additional local litigation. Ms. Smiley told council the action covers participation with several distributor defendants and enables the city to collect funds as the national settlements are implemented.

Supporters framed the vote as a practical step to access funds for potential local abatement and response efforts. President Pro-Temp Schoonover called for a roll call after brief remarks; the motion passed 10-0.

The resolution does not specify how recovered funds will be allocated; council did not adopt an allocation plan during the meeting. Council materials for the item were provided as background from the Law Committee and are on file with the clerk. The immediate procedural outcome is that the mayor is authorized to execute settlement-related documents on the city's behalf. The council did not take additional related budget or appropriation actions during this session.