Wayne County committee extends delegated settlement authority to corporation counsel for one year

At a meeting of the Wayne County Government Operations Committee, commissioners approved a resolution extending delegated settlement authority to the Wayne County Corporation Counsel for one year, authorizing counsel to settle cases and accept awards, proposed settlements, judgments or counter offers of judgment up to $35,000.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Suhumu introduced the item and described the measure as a long-standing administrative practice intended to increase efficiency in handling routine settlements. "This is a delegated settlement authority resolution, that has been in place for lots and lots of years, that basically just increases efficiency," Suhumu said, and noted the office reports to the commission on any settlements handled under the delegated authority on a quarterly basis.

Commissioner Killeen moved to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Peterson Mayberry seconded. Commissioners voted using their tablets and the chair stated the motion carried. The resolution as described authorizes the corporation counsel to settle individual matters up to $35,000 during the one-year extension and does not remove the commission’s oversight: Suhumu said settlements reached under the delegation are reported back to the commission quarterly.

The committee took no additional public comment on the item. The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item following the vote.