Milton settles lawsuit with Fulton County.

Agrees to pay $110k settlement.

by Jonathan Copsey
Appen Newspapers
April 18, 2011

MILTON, Ga. - The city has settled a lawsuit brought against it by Fulton County, dating back to the 2009 incorporation, by paying the county $110,000.

Fulton County filed the lawsuit against Milton June 30, 2009, claiming the city broke its contract with the county during the five-month transition period. During that time, Milton would pay for the county to provide "sufficient" police protection every day of the week. That was where the discrepancy occurred.

"The city did an audit of the terms of the agreement," explained City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. "We felt they were owed $65,000. They felt as though we owed them more."The county filed the lawsuit seeking $324,615.02 from the fledgling Milton. In response, Milton filed a counter-suit claiming the county had not provided adequate staffing during the transition. The argument was finally settled with the $110,000 sum.

Lagerbloom was content with the settlement.

"Even if you think you have a good case, you never now what's going to happen [in court]," he said. "It would have cost more than $45,000 to litigate."
He added the settlement was smaller than what it would have cost for the city to go to trial.

Fulton County has similar lawsuits still pending with the cities of Johns Creek and Sandy Springs.