The Board of County Commissioners voted July 7 to approve purchasing a stipulated judgment in Dakota Simcoe Horvath v. Board of County Commissioners for $75,000 and to have the payment flow into the county's defined benefit retirement trust. The board approved the purchase after a report and discussion of recent judgment receipts and the retirement trust's cash position. "This is a lawsuit brought by inmates out of the county jail," said the County Attorney, describing the underlying claim that a jailer assaulted the plaintiff and the negotiation that produced the $75,000 settlement. "We were able to . . . settle the case. We have an agreement to settle for $75,000." The County Attorney added that structuring prompt cash payment to the plaintiff's counsel can produce a discount versus stretched payment terms. Stacy Rogers, who the board said now heads the relevant department, summarized the judgment receipts that underlie the retirement trust's cash flows: six judgments scheduled for 2026 total about $595,000; five judgments scheduled for 2027 total about $262,000; and 2025 payments were roughly $1.3 million plus $227,000 in interest, for a combined total near $1.5 million. "That is what we have in the retirement," Rogers said when asked about the trust's current assets. Board discussion noted the settlement's operational benefits and potential governance concerns. Treasurer Butch Grama, speaking of the retirement plan's role, said the purchase strategy has been valuable to the trust's return and negotiating leverage. At the same time, one board member flagged the arrangement as "self-dealing," saying the retirement trust's purchase of county liabilities can invite scrutiny from retirees and outside parties and should be reviewed each time. The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the purchase as presented; the transcript records 'Aye' votes and one 'No' noted but does not map individual votes to named members. The County Attorney said the settlement will resolve what the attorney described as the last case that arose while the sheriff previously operated the jail; other cases against the jail trust remain separate. The board also discussed that, had the litigation continued, the county could have faced extensive record searches and discovery costs; the County Attorney said settlement avoids that additional expense. The board accepted the report and authorized processing of the settlement payment to the retirement trust. The vote and the board's acceptance conclude the item; board members said staff will ensure required settlement and retirement-trust paperwork is completed.