Deputy corporation counsel Karen Tidwell briefed the committee on pending litigation involving Milwaukee County and contractors. Tidwell said the Wellpath bankruptcy continues and a stay remains in place through April 30; she warned the reorganization timeline could extend beyond that date. The stay pauses many cases in which Wellpath is a party.

Tidwell also discussed litigation filed by former Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office deputy John Nelson. The county notified Nelson that certain internal affairs and disciplinary records were subject to public release under Wisconsin’s open records law; Nelson filed suit seeking to prevent disclosure. Tidwell told the committee one of the cases listed as item 63 was dismissed by Nelson without an apparent reason, while two other listed matters (items 65 and 66) remain pending and are being litigated. She said the county previously determined the records were disclosable and that Nelson filed his challenge after being notified of the county’s intent to release documents.

Supervisor Logsdon said constituents had raised concerns about a November 19 news article reporting the mayor of Franklin had sought to block records release; Tidwell said the corporation counsel’s office would continue to monitor the litigation and report back to the committee when there are developments. Tidwell added that while the corporation counsel had not examined every nuance of the specific records, the office would review the matters in more detail and provide an update to the committee.

A committee member asked whether the bankruptcy stay or litigation would affect current contracts; Tidwell said the Wellpath contract for services has continued to operate and there was no current indication of termination, although litigation in which Wellpath is co‑defendant is stayed while the bankruptcy is active.

The committee discussed whether to move into closed session for detailed legal analysis; members were reminded that closed session requires a stated reason and that, per usual practice, corporation counsel would advise whether specific questions needed to be taken up in closed session.

No settlement payments were announced on the current cycle; Tidwell said a few settlements were expected to appear on a future cycle and offered to provide more detail in subsequent reports.