On Nov. 25 the Odessa City Council voted unanimously to accept $166,594.98 for the city’s opioid settlement fund. Norma told the council the payment reflects the city’s earlier support for the settlement reached in December 2021.

Council member Stoker asked whether the settlement payments arrive automatically and whether the council must approve them each year. Norma and other staff said the payments require a request each time to be received and that staff have been monitoring the schedule to avoid missing payments. “This payment was done back in March,” Norma said, and councilors discussed prior and current payment amounts.

Councilors moved and approved the appropriation by voice vote. The funds will be placed in the city’s separate opioid fund, as previously directed by council action.