Rankin County board authorizes $175,000 settlement in Sullivan litigation

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted on Feb. 13 to authorize execution of settlement documents in pending litigation with an individual or entity identified in the record as Sullivan, approving a total settlement amount of $175,000 and an organized payment arrangement.

A board member asked the board to authorize execution of documents that reflect the settlement the board had previously reported and voted to approve. During the discussion the settlement amount was stated as “It’s a $175,000 total” and the record notes an organized payment arrangement to satisfy that obligation.

The motion to authorize execution carried by voice vote. The chair announced the motion passed with four yeas and one nay; the lone recorded dissent was Mister Bishop. After the vote, staff indicated documents were available for visitors from Southern Rankin and handed the settlement papers to those attendees.

Why it matters: The authorization implements a previously discussed settlement, establishes a county payment commitment and closes a line item of pending litigation. Board members briefly commented on the length and cost of the dispute during the public portion of the meeting.

The board did not record individual votes by name beyond the single recorded nay. The board proceeded to other agenda matters after approving the settlement.