Ordinance 2014-24 now the law

An ordinance to provide county-funded legal defense and limited indemnification for Oconee County employees passed on third and final reading. Council’s vote last night was once again 3-2, with Thrift, Corbeil and Dexter in favor and Cain and McCall opposed. A final vote scheduled November 18 was tabled to allow County Attorney Tom Martin to make changes in the ordinance which he crafted. The changes include a provision that includes the members of boards, commissions and committees appointed by the council. Martin said he went to work on the ordinance to fill a gap in coverage, after the Journal threatened to sue Thrift, Corbeil and Dexter and County Auditor Ken Nix. While the county employees and appointed officials can rest assured that they are covered when it comes to their official duties, that could change next month. Corbeil leaves council next month and his successor, Edda Cammick, ran on a campaign of change. McCall predicts the ordinance will be reconsidered after December 31.