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Hardin County authorizes joining additional opioid settlement funds, approves grants and personnel changes
Summary
The board authorized the county attorney to execute documents to join remnant opioid settlements (Hardin County’s estimated share about $70,000), approved a JAG MOU with the City of Eldora, a community signage grant, acknowledged the VA quarterly report, and approved several personnel status changes.
Hardin County authorized its county attorney to execute documents to participate in newly settled remnant defendants in a national opioid class-action distribution and approved several routine grant and personnel items.
County counsel asked the board for authority to sign settlement documents related to six remnant defendants that collectively agreed to pay about $97 million. The county attorney stated Hardin County’s share percentage is 0.00007375 and estimated the county’s portion at roughly $70,000 if the county chooses to join; the attorney said the filing deadline is this week and that failure to file would forfeit any payment. The board voted to authorize execution of the settlement documents.
On grant matters, the board approved a memorandum of understanding allowing the City of Eldora to apply for a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and share benefits with the county; staff described Eldora as the applicant and said the county will not claim the award. The board also approved a Community Betterment grant application for Premier Carbide Saw and Tool Inc. to assist with a new business sign, with staff noting remaining program funds are available through June 30.
The board acknowledged receipt of the Veterans Affairs office quarterly report by motion.
Personnel actions approved included hiring Zayn Wielen as a correctional officer (permanent part-time at $22.23/hour, effective April 22, 2026), promoting Dylan McInn to full-time correctional officer at $22.23/hour (effective April 27, 2026), and accepting the retirement of Greg Hikkins, roadside mower (effective April 29, 2026). Motions on these items were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The county attorney and staff indicated follow-up steps: filing the opioid settlement paperwork by the deadline, and implementing grant and personnel processing as appropriate.
