Agenda Item Title:
Authorize Mayor and City Staff to Register for and Execute any Documents Necessary to Join in on the National Opioid Settlement
Origination Group:
Legal & Finance Committee
Origination Meeting Date:
12/15/2021
City Council Hearing Date:
12/20/2021
Staff Contact:
Joel Landeen, City Attorney
Agenda Item Summary:
There is a potential for a national settlement on the national lawsuits filed by many states and counties against the companies that manufactured and distributed opioid medications. The Office of the Attorney General is requesting that communities in South Dakota register to participate in the settlement. If a sufficient number of communities register, the defendants can agree to settle the cases against them. If the settlement is approved, the money will be distributed to the various states based at least in part on the number of communities that register. At this point, I cannot tell you how much money South Dakota or Rapid City may ultimately get, but if we do not register we will get $0. Based on my review of the materials, I can see no reason why we would not register and try to obtain some of the settlement proceeds, or at the very least help to ensure that South Dakota gets a larger share than it otherwise would without our participation.
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact (if applicable):
| Funding | Cost Center |
|---|---|
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact Notes:
None. This will not cost the City any money
Recommendations:
Origination Recommendation Action:
Approve
City Council Options:
Approve or Deny. If you deny, the City will more than likely receive no monies related to the opioid settlement.