Fayette County is set to follow in the footsteps of several other counties and file a lawsuit against the state for late payments due to the ongoing budget impasse. During the Fayette County Board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday night, Chairman Jeff Beckman stated that he asked that the agenda include discussion of the issue of state reimbursement not being received for state mandates for offices of the State’s Attorney, Public Defender and Supervisor of Assessment. Beckman had Fayette County Assistant State’s Attorney Brenda Duke explain the matter. And Duke says that they are joining several other counties who have already filed suits.
Duke says they realize the lawsuit will be contested but are hopeful to recoup the wages not paid out by the state for the last several months.
St. Clair County did win their suit and funds were released to their county, but the judgement did not mandate that funds be released to other counties. Williamson, Union, Bond, Gallatin and Franklin Counties who have filed lawsuits in the last month.