County attorney briefs commissioners on pending appeal and code-lien foreclosure

Matt Rollerson, Henry County attorney, told the board on Aug. 12 that the county has active appellate litigation and a pending code-lien foreclosure. "The Yana Aliko matter is going again. We filed an answer last week," Rollerson said. He described two separate actions: a cert action (an appeal) and an independent declaratory action in which the county has filed an answer. Rollerson said both briefs in one contested matter have been filed and that the case is set for oral argument on Sept. 4. "Probably won't have a decision on that day, but, you know, probably in a few weeks following that, we'll have a written order regarding that matter," he said. On a separate matter, Rollerson said the county has a pending code-lien foreclosure involving a property owner identified in the record as Westlake. He said the county proposed a settlement to be paid from proceeds of a planned sale and that the county is awaiting word from the title company. "I'm not sure what the delay is. I followed up. I haven't heard back yet from the title company," Rollerson said. He told the board he will bring additional code-lien foreclosure cases to future meetings seeking authorization to proceed. Commissioners asked Rollerson to share litigation paperwork with the rest of the board; Rollerson agreed to provide copies of the complaint, exhibits and the county's answer on request. There was no formal board action recorded on litigation at the meeting; the report was informational. Rollerson also noted the county is waiting on the appellate court to issue an order to show cause before filing certain responses in the appeal. No dates for new filings were provided beyond the Sept. 4 oral argument date.