Commissioners approve participation in opioid settlement tied to One Ohio distribution plan

County staff briefed the Board of Commissioners on a remnant-defendant settlement in the national opioid litigation and recommended the county accept the settlement resolution. The settlement — described by staff as a package involving regional distributors and sellers — was characterized as totaling more than $97 million nationwide; staff said proceeds will be distributed to political subdivisions to support opioid mitigation efforts under the One Ohio Foundation memorandum of understanding.

"These are regional distributors and sellers. We call them the six remnant defendants," a county official said, noting the county will handle the funds "the same way as we have others" under the previously adopted MOU.

Commissioners moved and approved the resolution to accept the settlement and the county’s participation in the distribution framework. Votes were recorded in favor by at least two commissioners present.

The staff presentation did not list the county’s projected share in dollar terms at the hearing; officials said county handling of the funds will follow the One Ohio Foundation MOU and prior practice for mitigation programs.

The resolution passed at the meeting; staff indicated funds will be used for opioid-mitigation activities consistent with the MOU and prior distributions.