City Commissioners on Tuesday approved an order for the City to execute documents to participate in a settlement agreement with opioid distributors. The settlement of a class action lawsuit with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. calls for $5 billion dollars to be paid over 10 years to the states and local governments.
A separate Opioid Distributor Settlement involving multiple distributors calls for $21 billion to be paid over 18 years.
Kentucky is being allocated roughly 2.1% of that total amount. Of that, Owensboro-Daviess County receives 1.6%, with the city and county governments dividing that share.
In all, the settlement has the ability to bring the City as much as $2 million to be used for opioid remediation purposes like Narcan, treatment, services for inmates and others.
“That was one of the reasons why I got involved with this a couple of years ago, because that was one of the conditions that will support this,” said Mayor Tom Watson.
In other business, Watson swore in six new firefighters — Todd Combs, Rachel Frederick, Curtis Johnson III, Aaron Pace, Austin Schuknecht, and Zerrick Wells. Owensboro Fire Department Chief James Howard said that the new initiates bring a variety of experiences.
“That includes a couple of paramedics. We have a couple of firefighters with many years of experience. We have some ex-military,” Howard said. “We just have a really high level of character with these individuals.”
After the ceremony, Watson declared Jan. 9, 2022, as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to showcase the appreciation the City has for the law enforcement workers.
Commissioners also approved an ordinance annexing to the city roughly one acre on Kidron Valley Way. The property currently houses different businesses including Wasabi 54, Dapper Dog, Bubble TeaTalk and other businesses.
They also annexed 1937 Leitchfield Road, containing approximately two acres, at the request of the owner. A municipal order approving the standard incentive agreement for the property was approved containing a 5-year, 100% general fund incremental tax rebate tied to the developer or owner.
City Manager Nate Pagan said that the property had been vacant for years, but in March of 2021 it was sold and is currently under construction to turn into a medical office.
“We will consider a typical annexation incentive at the next meeting with the second reading of the ordinance,” Pagan said
The board approved the following appointments and promotional statuses:
- J.T. Fulkerson to a three-year term with the City Utility Commission.
- Steven R. Englehardt to a three-year term with the Civil Service Commission.
- Reappoint Donnie Brey to a four-year term with the City Employees’ Pension Board (Closed).
- Appoint Jason Gasser to a four-year term with the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission.
- Matthew Cissell was appointed to Fire Lieutenant with the Fire Department.
- Brandon Mitchell was appointed to Clerk/Typist with the Police Department.
