JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Commission will consider joining a class-action settlement case in regards to the opioid epidemic.

In 2018, former North Dakota State Senator Curtis Olafson and Dallas-based Attorney Jonathan Novak came before the commission to give them the opportunity to join the ongoing Opioid Litigation with several others in the U.S.

Olafson informed the commission that since their last meeting with the county, Burleigh, Cass, Grand Forks, Ramsey, Barnes, Mountrail, Mercer, Richland, Sargent and more have signed on to join the litigation.

Previously, the commission recommended going with the North Dakota State’s Attorney, but recent developments have caused more counties to join the nationwide litigation.

Novak informed the commission that having the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office case dismissed is a similar thing many states are facing.

Novak says that in their lawsuit, they’ve named upwards of 30 defendants. He says the case could result in billions of dollars being distributed to all of those who join the litigation.

If the county joins the litigation, there would be no cost to Stutsman County.

County Commissioner Dave Schwartz stated he was not comfortable making a decision immediately on joining the litigation and recommended tabling the decision until June. The commission approved of the decision.

In other county news, Road Superintendent Mickey Nenow informed the commission that they needed to set an agreement for county roads that lead to state highways in the county.

Nenow says the county will be required to fix signs that may be damaged on county property. The commission approved.