TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
DATE: September 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Participation in New National Opioid Settlement
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BACKGROUND
On June 15, 2021, the Indian River Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) approved a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the State of Florida Attorney General’s Office that serves as the allocation agreement between the State of Florida and the local governments on the settlement of various opioid cases. As part of the MOU, money goes into a City/County Fund, a Regional Fund, and a State Fund. Indian River County receives a portion of these monies and has an agreement with Southeast Behavioral Health Network to administer and disperse the opioid settlement monies to the organizations approved by the Board.
Recently, the Attorney General’s Office reached out the County Attorney to urge Indian River County to sign participation forms to qualify for new potential opioid settlements with Purdue and the Sackler family (“Purdue Direct Settlement”) and also with eight opioid manufacturers: Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun and Zydus (collectively the “Secondary Manufacturers Settlements”). Currently, the State is attempting to organize political subdivisions to participate to qualify for settlement and to maximize settlement dollars. It is unknown at this time whether the settlement will move forward or how much money the County would receive. Because the County received late notice, the County Attorney advised Chairman Flescher to execute the participation forms so that the County could meet the participation deadlines.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no cost for the County to participate in the potential settlements. It is unknown how much money will be generated.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
The County Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board approve and ratify Chairman Flescher’s execution of the attached Participation and Release Forms for the Purdue Direct Settlement and the Secondary Manufacturers Settlements.