Hamilton County is expected to receive more than $10 million through a settlement with three top drug manufacturers over their role with the opioid crisis.
Attorney Ronnie Berke announced the numbers during Wednesday's county commission meeting.
"The reason it's not exact at this time is that the defendants have through mid-March to object to any of the details," said Berke, who at the meeting stated he is representing the county on the matter.
(READ MORE: Chattanoogans talk budget wishes with city administration)
The county is expected to receive $10.8 million over the next 18 years. The county will receive $900,000 over the next three years and $500,000 to $600,000 annually over the remaining 15.
"It's not easy going up against big pharma, ever, and I have to be honest, when we talked about this, we probably don't have a chance," said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger.
The agreement is between state and local governments and Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen - the nation's top three pharmaceutical distributors - and Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids.
(READ MORE: East Hamilton High School fight leaves student hospitalized, another arrested)
Contact Logan Hullinger at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com or 814-319-5158. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.