Opioid Settlement Proceeds
During the State Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022, the Florida State Attorney General announced a series of historic settlements between the State of Florida and the manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers of opioids that will provide more than $3 billion to Florida over the next 18 years.
On April 27, 2021, the Melbourne City Council adopted Resolution No. 4006, which recognized the harmful effects from the opioid epidemic suffered by the City. The City of Melbourne joined the State of Florida, counties, and other cities as part of the filed action in re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804 (N.D. Ohio) (the “Opioid Litigation”). Resolution No. 4006 adopts the State’s unified plan for the allocation and use of prospective settlement dollars from opioid-related litigation and acknowledges the Florida Memorandum of Understanding (known as the “Florida Plan”), which sets forth the framework of the unified plan for the proposed allocation and use of opioid settlement proceeds.
On November 15, 2021, the Office of the Attorney General executed a Florida Opioid Allocation and Statewide Response Agreement with certain local governments in the State of Florida prescribing the intent of the State and local governments for use of the opioid settlement proceeds in accordance with Schedule A "Core Strategies" and Schedule B "Approved Uses" to ensure that the funds are expended in compliance with evolving evidence-based best practices.
During FY 2023, the City received the first round of the National Opioid Settlement funds from some of the largest pharmaceutical distributors — Allergen, CVS, Distributors, Janssen, Teva, Walgreens and Walmart (“Distributors”). The City could continue to receive settlement proceeds through 2036. To date, the City has received opioid settlement proceeds totaling $373,740.51, which includes $81,763.56 (FY 2023/Year 1), $179,072.72 (FY 2024/Year 2), and $112,904.23 (FY 2025/Year 3). In accordance with the State agreement, the City is authorized to withhold a maximum of 5% to cover administrative costs for oversight of the proceeds and any programs. The maximum withholding for administrative expenses totals $18,687.03 across all three years. This leaves a balance of $355,053.48, plus approximately $10,499.41 in interest gains for proceeds in Years 1 and 2.
At the August 26, 2025 Regular Council Meeting, City Council authorized staff to solicit applications from eligible applicants for opioid settlement proceeds. Please stay tuned to this webpage for updates as more information becomes available.
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