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County attorney updates litigation, lease and vehicle‑use policy; judge signals dismissal in suit involving sheriff
Summary
Morton County Attorney David Thompson updated commissioners on attorney–client matters including a planned suit over state sales tax, an updated land‑lease to be advertised for bids, and a District Court judge's notice to dismiss a lawsuit involving Sheriff Earls.
Morton County Attorney David Thompson briefed the board after a closed attorney–client session, reporting several pending legal and contractual matters and no immediate action from the executive session.
Thompson said a due‑diligence document has been sent to Donna Smith of Haven of Hope Veterans Facility and that an IT contract is ready to be signed and forwarded to Michael Nino. He reported the county's land‑lease agreement has been updated and the county must advertise to solicit bids. Thompson also said Terrell Giddens will need to sign a mutual release of claim. On a separate matter, he said the state sales tax issue has been referred to the legislature and the County Attorney's office will file suit.
Thompson updated the panel on litigation involving Sheriff Earls, saying District Court Judge Linda Gilmore has notified parties she will dismiss the case. Thompson noted that county counsel Remington Smith had forwarded correspondence with Colin Wood, attorney for Sheriff Earls, that had been held in abeyance related to recall activity. Commissioners discussed implications for setting the 2027 Sheriff Department budget but took no formal action.
The board also reviewed a proposed county vehicle personal‑use policy and resolution (Resolution 2026-8), which the commissioners subsequently signed. The meeting record shows no vote on litigation items beyond returning from executive session.
Next procedural steps: advertise the land‑lease for bids and proceed with the legal filing on the state sales tax matter as reported by the county attorney.
