A second wave of opioid settlement funds could be heading your way later this year. Counties must opt-in to receive funds from this settlement. It is vitally important to receive this funding to assist in combating the growing problem of opioid addiction.
The Tennessee Attorney General has created a sample resolution counties can use to give the county mayor authority to execute any required formal agreements necessary for implementation. This resolution mentions Exhibits A and B, so please be sure to download these linked documents. The deadline to adopt this resolution is April 18th.
This is an urgent matter. Since all counties do not meet each month, we suggest you act now. The more counties that participate in this round of funding ensures the state receives the maximum amount of the settlement. Again, the deadline to act is April 18th. Adopting this resolution coupled with the county completing the required DocuSign process through Rubris (the installment administrator) ensures your county’s participation in this second settlement. Detailed instructions for the DocuSign process through Rubris can be seen HERE. Counties must complete the DocuSign process to receive funds from this second wave of settlements!
If there has been a change in the responsible elected official for this settlement since the last election (typically the county mayor), you may not be receiving the DocuSign package from Rubris. If you have not yet received your packet regarding the second wave, you should contact Rubris immediately at opioidsparticpation@rubris.com to change the contact information to the current county mayor to ensure all information reaches you promptly.
More information regarding the opioid settlement funding, authorized uses of the funding, and the impact of opioid abuse on local communities can be found at the following websites:
- Tennessee Attorney General - Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Abatement Agreement Definitions: https://emma-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/zie3/af3cd2a9980f6efbc94fce1118120b06/tn-state-subdivision-opioid-abatement-agreement_1_.pdf
- Tennessee Attorney General’s webpage on Opioid Settlements: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/filings-of-interest/opioids.html
- Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council: https://www.tn.gov/oac.html
- University of Tennessee’s SMART Policy Network: https://smart.ips.tennessee.edu/