The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a settlement in civil case 23CB3901 on Oct. 21, voting after an executive session to pay $205,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by Carolyn Rountree.

Commissioner Ted Terry moved the board-approved settlement, saying the payment would resolve the litigation conditioned on Rountree’s dismissal with prejudice and execution of required documents. "I move that the board of commissioners approve payment in the total amount of $205,000 to settle Carolyn Rountree's lawsuit against DeKalb County, civil action number 23CB3901 in the Superior Court of DeKalb County," Terry said on the record. The motion was seconded by another commissioner and carried on an affirmative voice vote of the board.

The settlement authorizes three written agreements in forms satisfactory to the county attorney: a settlement agreement with a release and waiver of claims; a formal abandonment by DeKalb County of a sewer pipe under 3775 and 3777 Ashford Dunwoody Road that is no longer in use; and an agreement ensuring the county retains an access easement for a manhole on the property. The county attorney or a designee was authorized to execute the settlement documents.

Why it matters: The settlement ends pending litigation and clarifies county responsibilities and rights related to a sewer pipe and a manhole on private property. The board voted on the settlement in open session following executive session discussions that the county attorney identified as related to litigation and claims.

The motion passed by unanimous voice vote after the second, with no further conditions recorded on the public record.