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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Retail Settlement Exhibit A <br />Manufacturers Settlement Exhibit B <br />County Attorney Bill DeBraal provided a brief history on the opioid crisis. To help <br />public entities affected by the opioid crisis, the Attorney General's office offered to act <br />as a broker and negotiate deals on their behalf with cities, counties, hospital districts, <br />and others. Major retailers and distributors, such as CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens, <br />settled to assist local governments affected by the opioid crisis. He stated the class <br />action suit was settled, and the County received two payouts from the opioid class <br />action settlements. <br />Attorney DeBraal responded to Chairman Adams's question and stated the funds <br />could only be used for anything related to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). He further <br />noted that any money allotted to the County could be rolled over to the following <br />fiscal year. He stated the County's first payout from the Retail Settlement was <br />$139,604.16, which was paid in December 2022. The Retail Settlement for Fiscal <br />Year 2023-24 of $305,751.08 was paid in December 2023, and payment would <br />continue until 2039. He presented to the Board Exhibit A, showing the City/County <br />funding projections, and Exhibit B, showing the allotment payout over the next 18 <br />years. <br />Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Veterans Council, urged the County <br />Commissioners to consider veterans when allocating opioid settlement funds. Over <br />10% of the population in Indian River County are veterans, and they face complex <br />issues related to their combat service, increasing the risk of opioid misuse. <br />Combat -wounded veterans are particularly susceptible to opioid misuse, with <br />overdose deaths increasing by 53% from 2010 to 2019. The council provided <br />programs ranging from case management to outreach and advocacy to address <br />diverse needs and connect veterans with vital resources. <br />Attorney DeBraal responded to Commissioner Moss's question that the 19th Circuit <br />Drug Court would encompass the Veterans Court and anyone qualified for <br />Alternative Court programs. <br />No Action Taken or Required <br />13.C. 24-0221 Additional Allotment of Opioid Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Payout from <br />Manufacturers Settlement <br />Recommended Action: The County Attorney's Office recommends that the Indian River County Board of <br />County Commissioners discuss the recommended allotments made by the Public <br />Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse and allot the <br />funds as the Board deems appropriate. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 16 <br />