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Council authorizes participation in Kroger opioid settlement
Summary
Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city to participate in the Kroger pharmacy opioid settlement; amounts to Winchester will be determined later and distributed over an 11-year schedule similar to other opioid settlements.
Winchester City Council voted July 9 to authorize the city manager to participate in the Kroger and affiliated pharmacies opioid settlement. Melissa Michaelson summarized the settlement process: jurisdictions wishing to participate must adopt a resolution before the August deadline to opt in and qualify for distribution shares tied to local impact. Michaelson said the distribution schedule will be similar to prior settlements (paid over 11 years) and that the exact allocation to Winchester will be determined later based on agreed-upon formulas.
Councilors raised a clerical issue in the draft resolution (a stray reference to the City of Waynesboro) that staff said would be corrected before finalization. Council noted that existing opioid settlement funds already support a position in the Winchester Police Department and that additional settlement proceeds could augment local public-health and prevention efforts.
Outcome: Resolution R2024-17 authorizing participation was adopted by roll call vote; staff will finalize clerical corrections and accept the settlement terms to secure Winchester's share.
