A first step to settle a bitter lawsuit

After a closed-door session, Oconee County Council last night approved a preliminary vote to settle a lawsuit that pits the county against principals of the Daily Journal.  The lawsuit, in the name of the county’s delinquent tax collector versus Hangar III LLC and others, involves the county’s quest to collect more than $300 thousand as back taxes from the owners of a corporate airplane.  First reading of a settlement passed 3 to 2, with councilmen Reg Dexter and Joel Thrift voting no.  In a second vote, on a motion by Dexter, the council agreed that prior to a second reading, it will reveal the terms of the settlement.