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County Attorney's Report 12. 2.

BCC Regular Meeting

Information

Meeting Date:	09/05/2019
Issue: Small Claims Lawsuits filed in the County Court of Escambia County Regarding Unpaid Corrections Officer Training Expenses
From:	KIA JOHNSON
Department:	County Attorney's Office
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning Small Claims Lawsuits Filed in the County Court of Escambia County for Unpaid Corrections Officer Training Expenses.

That the Board be made aware of the results of the following small claims lawsuits filed against former corrections officers with respect to unpaid corrections officer training expenses:

Escambia County v. Lance McGinnis – the County entered into the attached Stipulated Settlement Agreement with Mr. McGinnis.
Escambia County v. Mikeasha McNeil – the County obtained the attached Final Judgment against Ms. McNeil.
Escambia County v. Tanner Oliver – Mr. Oliver filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy shortly after the County filed suit.

BACKGROUND:

In February 2018, the County entered into Contracts for Reimbursement of Training Expenses with Mr. Lance McGinnis, Ms. Mikeasha McNeil, and Mr. Tanner Oliver. As outlined in the Contracts, the County intended to employ the individuals in the capacity of full-time corrections officers at the Escambia County Jail. Pursuant to state statute, the County agreed to fund the costs associated with the individuals attending the corrections officer training program, in exchange for their agreement to work as corrections officers for the County for a period of two years after completing the training program. Each of the three individuals resigned from the County prior to completing their two-year commitments to the County. At the time of Mr. McGinnis’ resignation, he had an outstanding balance of $2,035.10 with respect to his training expenses. At the time of Ms. McNeil’s resignation, she had an outstanding balance of $1,828.43 with respect to her training expenses. At the time of Mr. Oliver’s resignation, he had an outstanding balance of $1,921.10 with respect to his training expenses.

The County filed small claims lawsuits against each of the three individuals and obtained the following results:

Escambia County v. Lance McGinnis – the County entered into the attached Stipulated Settlement Agreement with Mr. McGinnis. Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. McGinnis’ total amount due to the County is $2,380.10. This amount includes the County’s costs of bringing the action against Mr. McGinnis. Mr. McGinnis will make monthly payments in the amount of $100.00 until the balance is paid in full.
Escambia County v. Mikeasha McNeil – the County obtained the attached Final Judgment against Ms. McNeil. The Final Judgment is in the amount of $2,038.43, which includes the County’s costs of bringing the action against Ms. McNeil. The total amount due will be reduced to a lien against Ms. McNeil’s real and personal property.
Escambia County v. Tanner Oliver – Mr. Oliver filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy shortly after the County filed suit. Therefore, the County is unlikely to collect the unpaid training expenses from this individual.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

N/A

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

These claims were reviewed and approved as to form and legal sufficiency by Kia M. Johnson, Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

N/A

Attachments
Stipulated Settlement Agreement-Lance McGinnis
Final Judgment-Mikeasha McNeil