The Warren County Personnel Administration & Higher Education Committee reviewed a monthly report of insurance reserve payments and a public litigation update covering several matters, including a settlement achieved by contractor tender and the status of summary judgment briefing in a federal case.

County attorney staff explained the insurance reserve report is intended to provide transparency about paid claims; pending matters do not appear on the report until settlement checks are issued. The committee was told the reserve currently funds claims primarily for the Department of Public Works and the Sheriff's Office due to vehicle and property exposures.

On litigation, the county attorney summarized several matters. He said summary judgment motions in a federal case related to correctional medical care had been fully submitted to the court and that a decision could be expected in roughly six months. The attorney also reported the county would remove the Tara Rockwell matter from the pending list because it settled: the county tendered defense to its contractor (identified in the packet as Best Hatfield), the contractor accepted the tender and will pay the settlement and defense costs under its contract with the county. The attorney described Rockwell's claim as a New York Labor Law matter alleging injury from a fall from elevation; the county's contract language transferred defense and liability to the contractor in that instance.

Action: The update was informational; no committee action was required on the insurance reserve report or the litigation matters discussed.

What changed: The Rockwell lawsuit was closed by settlement paid by the contractor under its contractual obligations; other pending matters will remain on the monthly report as they close and checks issue.

Source: Warren County Personnel Administration & Higher Education Committee meeting, May 30, 2025.