WARREN — Trumbull County will join with Lake County in the Purdue / Sackler drug settlement that will allow the county to receive up to $5 million in two payments over the next year.

The first payment will be provided in October in the amount of $1.25 million, and a second payment will be provided sometime in the first quarter of 2026, according to Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez.

The commissioners voted to join the lawsuit during Wednesday’s meeting.

An original proposal was to have the money be provided over six payments, but it was negotiated to be reduced to two payments.

“The commissioners believe there was no need to prolong the process,” Hernandez said. “It is the same amount of money. We can use the money earlier.”

Hernandez said they will have to determine how they can use the money.

“We believe we can use some of this money for the coroner, 911 and the sheriff’s department,” he said.

These funds are a part of the $7.4 billion settlement that has been reached with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family over their role in the opioid crisis. Those involved include attorneys general from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four US territories.

Most funds will be distributed in the first three years, with subsequent payments over 15 years.