BROWN COUNTY — After brief discussion Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved filing a Proof of Claim in the Purdue Pharma LP Bankruptcy regarding ongoing opioid litigation.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Dave Borchert.

Brown County Attorney Charles Hanson said his office received letters from Co-Lead Counsel and Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, in reference to National Prescription Opiate Litigation. Proof of Claim filing deadline is 5 p.m., July 30, 2020.

While the case outcome is uncertain, Brown County’s estimated claim is $16,941,818.

“There’s no guarantee of getting $16.9 million. Brown County has previous and ongoing costs (due to opiates being overprescribed),” Hanson said. “My office hired a county attorney and new legal assistant. The sheriff’s office hired people because of it. The costs won’t go away tomorrow. My advice is to sign the Proof of Claim, file it and get into the bankruptcy.”

Commissioner Tony Berg said he was “a little uneasy about this type of thing” at first, but voted for it later.

“It’s not akin to the government suing Purdue Pharma,” Hanson said. “They’re trying to use bankruptcy to head this off. The nature of bankruptcy court is to limit expenses.”

“I think it’s important that we proceed,” said Commissioner Borchert. “It’s a legal remedy for recovery. We have expenses connected with opioids. We’re talking about long-term treatment. I don’t want the community to pay for it.”

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• A report of Brown County Probation Officer Jill Ferretti receiving the 2020 Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) Superior Service Award.

Ferretti has been a Brown County probation officer since 2007. She’s been active in the MACPO Association for many years, assisting with training including setting up workshops. She was elected MACPO Secretary in 2014, served three two-year terms and concluded her executive board service July 1, 2020.

Locally, Ferretti has worked as an intensive DWI agent, low-risk client group agent and recently took over handling first-time juvenile offenders from the Teen Court program that recently discontinued. In addition, she has a caseload of adults from Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey.

“We are all very proud of Jill. She is a dedicated, hard-working professional,” said Brown County Probation Director Les Schultz. “Brown County is very fortunate to have her helping direct probationers into becoming law-abiding citizens and protecting community safety.”

• Accepting a $1,000 United Way of Brown County Area Grant to support Brown County Public Health COVID 19 response.

• Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz’ update including advice on how to deal with recent COVID-19 case spikes in Brown County and across the country.

“People need to be careful not to drift toward each other. Especially older people that may not hear very well,” Moritz said. “We encourage people with (COVID-19) symptoms to get tested. It’s not all about you. People need to take responsibility and wear masks to protect themselves from others. Young people need to avoid large gatherings in bars and other places.”

Earlier in the meeting, Brown County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steve Depew said the sheriff was called to several Brown County bars to remind people of social distancing.

Phase III of Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan effective June 10 recommends face coverings, strongly recommending masks in churches and always staying at least six feet from others.

“If we want to open school this fall, we need to follow Phase 3 guidance,” Moritz said.

• Appropriating $3,000 in the 2021 draft county budget to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, motion by Commissioner Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Berg.

The organization invests in community early childhood, economic development and community vitality programs.

• Adding a full-time license bureau technician and post a vacancy, motion by Commissioner Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp. The license bureau will then have five full-time and two part-time employees, which is consistent with comparable license bureau offices in other counties.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.