Craig Howell ANOTHER CASE – Among actions taken by Hancock County commissioners Thursday was an agreement for the county to participate in an opioid settlement case against six pharmaceutical producers and distributors.

NEW CUMBERLAND – While Hancock County commissioners debated the potential of awarding one request for opioid funds Thursday morning, they agreed to join another opioid-related settlement case Thursday afternoon with the potential to bring additional funds to the county.

“There are six companies,” Commission President Eron Chek noted during the commission’s regular meeting at the Hancock County Courthouse.

Commissioners unanimously approved a proposal for the county to participate in the opioid settlement case filed against Associated Pharmacies Inc.; JM Smith Corp.; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company Inc.; Morris & Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company Inc.; and United Natural Foods Inc.

The suit also includes American Associated Pharmacies, a subsidiary of Associated Pharmacies, and both SuperValu and Advantage Logistics, subsidiaries of United Natural Foods.

“There’s a May 4 deadline,” Chek said, noting the county had to meet the deadline to receive any funds from the settlement.

The settlement case is among several involving West Virginia in recent years against a variety of pharmaceutical opioid producers and distributors. Funds collected through the settlements are later distributed to most counties and many municipalities in the state through the West Virginia First Foundation and other memoranda of understanding.

Hancock County already has received approximately $1.6 million from previous settlement agreements and has distributed $2,500 to date, with up to nine proposals currently under consideration.

There is no word on how much funding the county could receive as part of this latest agreement.

In other business Thursday, commissioners:

– Promoted Tom Vollberg to full-time assistant maintenance technician, effective April 16.

– Appointed Lois Rekowski to the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board.

– Approved the hiring of Ashley Close as humane officer/dog warden, effective April 16.

– Established a new budgetary line item for a “strategic reserve.”

– Reappointed Stephan Ward to the Tomlins Public Service District board.

– Hired Haylianne Murray as deputy clerk in the County Clerk’s Office.

The commission will next meet at 2:30 p.m. April 23