Counselor reports Freeman documents delivered; commissioners approve legal payments and note NextEra easement issue

During the Dec. 30 meeting the county counselor (identified by role in the record) said he hand-delivered original Freeman agreements to Katrina Richards, general counsel for Freeman, and expected that once reviewed the countys obligations would be satisfied. The counselor said he had two motions to withdraw and described ongoing cases (sanitation and a cell-phone tower dispute).

Commissioners then moved to pay legal invoices: the transcript records an item identified as Fullston Attorneys at Law for "$15.87 dollars and 50¢" and a payment totaling $2,337.50 for attorney Forrest Rhodes Jr.; the motion to pay carried by voice vote.

The counselor also reported an active issue with NextEra Energy Group seeking to place power lines in the western part of the county and requesting an easement that could affect a defunct cemetery right-of-way; he said the Marion Township Trust may have responsibility but that the county could be involved.

No additional formal action on the Freeman agreements or the NextEra easement was recorded on Dec. 30; the counselor characterized these as ongoing matters and delivered related documents to Freeman counsel for review.