Wayne County will have received more than $1 million in opioid settlement money with receipt of its 2025 share, and Richmond will come close to that $1 million figure.
The county commissioners think that coordinating how the new payments are spent could benefit both entities. During their meeting May 21, commissioners discussed formalizing their process for awarding opioid settlement money, but they also want to reach out to the city.
Commissioner Aaron Roberts said that the money could be more impactful if the city and county either combine resources or coordinate their distribution. Commissioner Brad Dwenger said that makes sense.
The state attorney general’s office anticipates the county will receive $239,072.64 and the city $173,173.40 in settlement money this year. The money is distributed by the state from its settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors as compensation for their roles in the opioid crisis.
State reporting for 2023 and 2024 shows the county received $954,702.81 and the city $743,558.47. The county has spent the majority of its funds, but Richmond has not reported to the state any expenditures. To distribute the first year’s payments, the county received applications from interested organizations, scored the applications and heard presentations before dividing up the money.
Commissioners closed their discussion by agreeing to move forward with development of a process that would include the health department’s advisory committee and to contact the city.
Carrying firearms
Commissioners asked Ron Cross, the county attorney, to prepare an ordinance limiting the ability of county employees — other than law enforcement officers — to carry firearms while on the job.
Dwenger said he 100% supports the right to carry arms; however, he’s concerned about the liability if an employee carries a weapon during work.
“We’re liable for any action they do while they’re working,” he said.
Once an ordinance is developed, commissioners plan to share it with their department heads and the elected officials for feedback.
Other issues
- Commissioners approved design plans for the Bridge Avenue bridge replacement. The $2.4 million project is expected to let for bids in October.
- Commissioners received two quotes for security fencing around the county maintenance building. Oler Fence quoted $11,200, and Eagle Fence quoted $14,965. The money would come from the building and grounds budget. The quotes were taken under advisement.
- Commissioners approved pursuing bids for five new Chevrolet Tahoes for the sheriff’s department.
A version of this article appeared in the May 28 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.