Opioid Settlement Council

Purpose

The Opioid Settlement Council provides leadership and guidance on Washington County’s opioid settlement spending.

Agendas and meeting materials

The council publishes electronic agendas and meeting materials for the meetings.
View most recent meeting packet (PDF) | View all past meeting packets.

Composition

The Opioid Settlement Council is composed of:

Community members in Washington County.
Professional experts across a wide range of sectors.
People with lived expertise.

Qualifications

Council members must have a relationship with Washington County. For example: live in Washington County or provide services to Washington County residents.

Procedures for appointment

The first round of applications for the Opioid Settlement Council was selected in early 2024. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Opioid Response team to be placed on a waitlist for future consideration. You can send an email or call 651-430-6655.

Member terms

Council members are appointed for a two-year term. Term limits are intended to facilitate rotation of Council membership over time, providing opportunities for other interested individuals to contribute to the Council’s work. Initial terms at the establishment of the Council may be set at either two or three years to support longevity (as the group is formed) and continuity (via staggered terms).

Meetings

Council meetings will occur on a regular schedule and are generally expected to last two hours or less. Meeting materials, including agendas and meeting minutes, will be posted publicly on the county website. Meetings are held monthly at the Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd Street N., Stillwater.

Officers

The Council may, but is not required to, elect a chair and vice-chair to preside at meetings. Officers serve for a one-year term of office and may be elected to a subsequent annual term. Officers will not serve more than two consecutive terms. Termination of Council membership results in automatic vacating of any office that the member holds.

Subcommittees

The Council may establish subcommittees to study a special issue or conduct special projects. Subcommittees will have a specific purpose and will sunset at the conclusion of their charge.

Quorum

One-half of Council members, plus one, shall be considered a quorum for meetings. (If the Council has an odd number of members, a meeting is considered to have a quorum when over 50% of Council members are present.) Meetings can proceed without a quorum, but formal action cannot be taken by the Council without a quorum present.

Conflict of interest

Council members must disclose to the Council, refrain from participating in discussions, and recuse themselves from voting on any matter in which they may have financial, ethical, or other conflicts of interest. A financial conflict of interest includes a financial association that has the potential to bias or have the appearance of biasing a Council member’s actions or decisions.

County Board expectations

Council members will follow the County Board "Statement of Expectations" in Washington County Policy No. 6006, Advisory Board, Commissions, and Committees. Procedures for the removal of members will be followed as outlined in county policy.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners believes a citizen advisory board, commission, or committee will work most productively when its members are committed, knowledgeable, and work together as a team. The County Board expects its citizen advisory board/commission/committee appointees to:

Attend a new member orientation, if provided.
Commit to regularly attend and actively participate in the advisory board/commission/committee work, including substantive participation in meetings and discussions.
Notify the staff liaison, in advance, if unable to attend a meeting.
Understand the roles and relationships of the advisory board/commission/committee, staff liaison, County staff, and County Board.
Become familiar with the County’s and the advisory board’s/commission’s/committee’s role and mission.
Stay informed about advisory board/commission/committee matters, prepare themselves for meetings, and review and comment on minutes and reports.
Get to know other advisory board/commission/committee members and build a working relationship that contributes to consensus.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Show respect for and tolerance of differing views and opinions.
Reflect the perspectives of the County’s diverse constituency in discussions and decision-making processes.
Foster a committee environment free from violence, discrimination, and offensive or degrading remarks.
Refrain from accepting gifts from individuals or organizations that do business with Washington County in accordance with gift ban laws.

Remuneration

Members are eligible to receive meeting per diem and mileage reimbursement at the rate established by the County Board.