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Committee approves joining PFAS litigation, forwards authorization to full board
Summary
The Alpena County Courts & Public Safety Committee voted Feb. 10 to sign onto PFAS litigation and sent the authorization to the full board; County Administrator Jesse Osmer said the same contingency-based law firm used in opioid cases would represent the county and would be paid only if funds are recovered.
The Courts & Public Safety Committee voted to approve signing onto PFAS-related litigation and forwarded the authorization to the county's full board for consideration. County Administrator Jesse Osmer told the committee the county can use the same contingency-based law firm it used in opioid remediation work and that the firm would only be paid if the county recovers funds.
Why it matters: PFAS litigation can lead to recoveries intended to address costs associated with contamination; the committee's vote clears the way for the full board to decide whether Alpena County will formally join the suit.
Osmer said, "The same law firm the county worked with on opioid remediation can work with the county again with no risk if the case is not won. If the county does not receive payment the law firm does not receive payment. Unlike the opioid remediation funds these funds have no strings attached." He recommended the county sign on and bring the matter to the full board.
Commissioner Bill LaHaie moved to approve signing onto the litigation; Commissioner Dan Ludlow supported the motion and it carried. The committee did not vote on any funding appropriation during the meeting; the action at this stage is an authorization to pursue participation and to present the matter to the full board for final approval or further direction.
Next step: The matter will appear on the full board agenda for a final decision.
