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Council votes to join new opioid defendants’ settlement; public urges restrictions on future spending
Summary
Pensacola’s council voted 7–0 to participate in a settlement that would deliver about $25,000 directly to the city; public commenters urged the council to insist on stipulations preventing the unilateral use of opioid-abatement funds for contracts such as the Flock surveillance agreement.
The Pensacola City Council voted unanimously on April 23 to participate in a national opioid-litigation settlement that is expected to allocate approximately $25,000 directly to the city if the city joins. City attorney summarized that the settlement involves a different set of defendants than prior agreements and that any future appropriations or expenditures of the funds would require separate council action.
Multiple public speakers urged the council to attach stipulations limiting uses of opioid-abatement funds and requiring council approval before funds are committed to programs or contracts. Speakers repeatedly referenced the prior use of opioid settlement money to pay for the Flock surveillance contract and called for stronger oversight and transparency.
Council vice president Breyer said she would support participation but planned to bring a proposal ensuring opioid-abatement funds come before the council for appropriation. The motion to participate passed 7–0; the council did not appropriate funds at this meeting.
