Board approves consent calendar; directs county counsel to defend Catherine Taylor lawsuit

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved its consent calendar (items 3 through 38) and later, after closed session, authorized legal defense in a civil case brought by Catherine Taylor.

The consent calendar was approved on a motion by Supervisor Valero, seconded by Supervisor Shuckling. The board recorded a vote of 4-0 with Supervisor Townsend not voting because he was not in attendance. The motion's public announcement in the record states: "Motion passes 4 to 0 with supervisor Townsend not voting because he is not in attendance; consent calendars approved."

At the end of the meeting the board returned from closed session and reported a formal direction: "The board of Supervisors directed legal counsel to defend and authorize the defense of individually named defendants, including those to be named later with a reservation of rights in the case of Catherine Taylor versus County of Tulare. Tulare County Superior Court case number VCU 321,660." The report said the motion to defend was made by Supervisor McCarty and seconded by Supervisor Valero, and it passed 4-0 with Supervisor Townsend absent.

There were no additional details about settlement posture, monetary exposure, or the legal grounds discussed in closed session in the public report. The board adjourned following the closed-session report.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (items 3'38): motion by Supervisor Valero; second by Supervisor Shuckling; outcome: approved, 4-0 (Supervisor Townsend absent). - Closed-session action (Catherine Taylor v. County of Tulare, Tulare County Superior Court Case No. VCU 321,660): motion to defend defendants authorized; mover: Supervisor McCarty; seconder: Supervisor Valero; outcome: approved, 4-0 (Supervisor Townsend absent).