Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 5/5/2026
Item Status: New
From: Tara Hazelbaker, Director of Finance; Brian Underwood, Grants Director
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Administrator
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Resolution #2026-081 - Adoption of the Opioid Settlement Funding Program
End
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution #2026-081 which approves the Baldwin County Commission Opioid Settlement Program.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: In 2023, the Alabama Legislature enacted Act 2023-384, establishing the Alabama Opioid Settlement Fund and creating a statewide framework for the distribution, oversight, and allowable use of opioid remediation funds. The Act requires that all opioid settlement proceeds received by counties and municipalities be used exclusively for evidence-based opioid abatement activities. It further outlines priority categories for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm-reduction initiatives; establishes reporting and accountability expectations; and directs local governments to ensure that expenditures align with the State’s approved opioid abatement strategies. Act 2023-384 also emphasizes transparency, measurable outcomes, and responsible stewardship of settlement funds to ensure long-term, sustainable impacts on reducing opioid misuse and overdose in Alabama communities.
In alignment with Act 2023-384, Baldwin County seeks to ensure that all opioid settlement funds are allocated and administered in a transparent, compliant, and evidence-based manner. To support this objective, staff have developed the Baldwin County Opioid Settlement Funding Program, which establishes a structured process for eligible organizations to request funding for opioid abatement activities benefiting Baldwin County residents.
The proposed program format corresponds to guidance resources included as Exhibit A - Opioid Settlement Funding Guidelines, Exhibit B - Opioid Settlement Funding Application, and Exhibit C - Opioid Settlement Funding Process. Adoption of the program will provide a consistent framework for evaluating funding requests, ensuring accountability, and supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives within Baldwin County.
Previous Commission action/date:
March 17, 2026 - BCC adopted Resolution #2026-067 authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to Join The State Of Alabama and Other Local Governments as Participants in Current and Future Opioid Settlements Related to Associated Pharmacies, Inc.; American Associated Pharmacies; J M Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris & Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; United Natural Foods, Inc. (Including Without Limitation Its Direct and Indirect Subsidiaries Supervalu, Inc., Adv Ant Age Logistics Southwest, Inc., Advantage Logistics USA West, L.L.C., Advantage Logistics USA East, L.L.C., And Unfi Distribution Company, LLC) Collectively, and All Their Past and Present Subsidiaries (Excluding, in The Case of United Natural Foods, Inc., New Albertsons, Inc. (A Former Subsidiary of Supervalu, Inc.)) (The "Remnant Defendants").
August 19, 2025 - BCC adopted Resolution # 2025-172: A Resolution Authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to Join the State of Alabama and Other Local Governments as Participants in Current and Future Opioid Settlements.
August 5, 2025 - BCC approved the use of Opioid Funds in the amount of $70,600.00, for an Opioid Awareness Campaign through iHeart Media.
July 16, 2024 - BCC adopted Resolution #2024-145: A Resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.
April 16, 2024 - BCC adopted Resolution #2024-111: A Resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.
February 24, 2023 - BCC adopted Resolution #2023-69: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Walmart settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-70: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Walgreens settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-71: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the CVS settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-72: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Teva settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-73: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Allergan settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement.
January 18, 2022 - BCC approved the proposed settlement agreement with Endo in connection with that certain case captioned State of Alabama vs. Purdue Pharma, L. P., et al. (Civil Action No. 03-CV-2019-901174.00) (Ala. Cir. Ct. Montgomery County), on the condition that Baldwin County’s election and approval to participate in the Endo Settlement Agreement is specifically conditioned on Baldwin County receiving the full amount of its settlement allocation listed under Exhibit B of the Settlement Sign-On without offset or payment to any other parties; and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the proposed settlement with Endo.
January 2, 2018 - BCC adopted Resolution #2018-040, a Resolution of the Baldwin County Commission approving the filing of Civil Complaint against manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids; and approved the Chairman to execute an Engagement to Represent document, which authorizes the Baldwin County Commission to retain the law firm LEVIN, PAPANTONIO, THOMAS, MITCHELL, RAFFERTY & PROCTOR, PA, pursuant to the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct and Alabama Code § 12-17-184 (8), on a contingent fee basis, to pursue all civil remedies against those in the chain of distribution of prescription opiates responsible for the opioid epidemic which is plaguing Baldwin County, Alabama including, but not limited to, filing a claim for public nuisance to abate the damages caused thereby.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: TBD
Budget line item(s) to be used: 03170060.52900 - Appropriations
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents? Yes
Reviewed/approved by: Reviewed and approved by Brad Hicks, County Attorney on 04/27/2026. (KDT)
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): NOA Email:
cc: Roger Rendleman
Tara Hazelbaker
Aislinn Stone
Christie Bezoari
Brian Underwood
Katrina Taylor
Shelby Middleton
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - Upload Resolution