To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Marlene Collick, Deputy Director, Community Engagement and Justice Services
title
RE: Approval of a request to create the Opioid Settlement Steering Team Committee
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval request to establish an Opioid Settlement Steering Team Committee with representatives from the following allowable sectors: Government, public health, health care providers, public safety, criminal-legal system, prevention coalition, harm reduction providers, recovery support providers, schools and universities, philanthropy, behavioral health providers, treatment providers, medical examiner/coroner, individuals with lived experience with substance use, family and friends of those with lived experience, and tribal citizens and governments, who will advise recommendations for the use of funds and to ensure opportunities for local organizations and departments to receive opioid settlement funds for purposes of development, implementation, expansion, or enhancement of programs and services.
BACKGROUND:
Genesee County ranks the highest in the State in overdose fatalities. From 2018-2022, Genesee County had a rate of 50 overdose fatalities per 100,000 people, and from 2020-2022, had a rate of 397.8 nonfatal overdose emergency department visits per 100,000 people, the 5th highest rate in the State.
Genesee County participated and signed on in national litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies for their role in the opioid and overdose crisis.
Genesee County is projected to receive over $13,000,000.00 over a total of eighteen (18) years, in which a total of approximately $7,00,000.00 has been received. This does not include the 2 settlements, Purdue and Sackler family and Generic Manufactures, that Genesee County recently signed on to.
The use of opioid settlement funds must meet certain requirements as outlined in Settlement Agreement Exhibit E and by the definition of opioid remediation as outlined in the settlement agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee decided it was time to put together a formal Opioid Settlement Steering Committee, and establish by-laws, to alleviate any conflict of interest. The committee that has been in place for two (2) years has members who can submit bids for future proposals.
In establishing the attached By-Laws and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, Genesee County will begin to formalize the opioid settlement processes for the purpose of oversight and monitoring of funds expended to entities for opioid remediation. The Opioid Settlement Steering Committee will provide recommendations to advise the Board of Commissioners on core remediation strategies for the use of opioid settlement funds.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
None
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Genesee County Board of Commissioners have committed to creating a Healthy, Livable, and Safe Community. The Opioid Settlement Steering Committee will help further that goal by assisting those individuals that are experiencing substance use disorders and/or mental health concerns. Impacting both public health and public safety.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Justice Services to authorize establishing an Opioid Settlement Steering Team Committee from representatives from the following allowable sectors: Government, public health, health care providers, public safety, criminal-legal system, prevention coalition, harm reduction providers, recovery support providers, schools and universities, philanthropy, behavioral health providers, treatment providers, medical examiner/coroner, individuals with lived experience with substance use, family and friends of those with lived experience, and tribal citizens and governments; and to authorizing establishing by-laws by which the committee is governed, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the October 22, 2025 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to sign the bylaws as necessary.