Over the past several years, the Kamenetz administration has negotiated legal agreements that bind taxpayers to millions of dollars. These include settlements from employee lawsuits, as well as a $30 million agreement that advances affordable housing goals.
The county charter gives the County Executive broad power over many governmental decisions; as an example, the County Council can only cut—not add—to the proposed budget. I believe, however, that we need more scrutiny of these legal agreements that commit the county to hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars in future obligations.
For that reason, I will introduce legislation that would require the County Attorney to provide periodic reports of significant litigation to the County Council. It would also require notification to the Council of a proposed settlement of any significant litigation, and would allow a Councilmember to object to a proposed settlement and have the matter placed on a Council agenda for a vote.
The bill also provides a definition of the terms “significant litigation” and “settlement,” and also provides for a notification process.
I believe this is simple ‘good government’—taxpayers and their elected representatives should have far greater scrutiny of the settlements negotiated by the County Executive and his senior staff.