The City of Blue Ridge will pay the attorney fees for three council members who are being sued by Mayor Rhonda Haight and her husband, David.
Council members Angie Arp, Bill Bivins and Jack Taylor voted for the city to pay the fees during a special called meeting of the council Wednesday morning, May 29.
Councilman William Whaley attended by phone but refused to vote and Councilwoman Christy Kay did not attend.
The vote came after the council members received notice through City Attorney Chuck Conerly that the city’s insurance would not cover the fees.
In a May 23 letter to the city and three council members, Sue Smith, senior resolution manager for Gallagher Bassett Service, Inc., described the “coverage denial” position of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA), the city’s insurers.
Gallagher Bassett Services handles GIRMA claims.
Smith wrote, “It is GIRMA’ position that there is no coverage for this claim within the policy issued by GIRMA to the City of Blue Ridge and or its members since the aforementioned Complaint seeks only declaratory, equitable and/or injunctive relief along with related attorney’s fees. However, there is no demand for monetary damages.”
The three council members are named in individual lawsuits and the City of Blue Ridge is named in each of those lawsuits.
During discussion, Whaley said GMA (the Georgia Municipal Association) should perform their duties in regard to the lawsuit and for the city to pay for attorneys is “not an appropriate use of funds.”
Mayor Haight said she was “paying for my own” attorney and expected the council members to “pay their own legal fees.”
Arp countered to Whaley that he was “not correct” in his understanding of GMA’s responsibility.
She also told Haight the council was “acting in our capacity as elected officials,” in regard to claims in the lawsuit and as such should be defended by the city.
When Haight asked if a limit on the attorney fees had been decided, Arp said there had not been, that the process was is the early stages but, “We have to make sure this city is protected. Whatever it takes, that’s what it takes.”
Arp called the Haights’ lawsuit frivilous.
Haight said she wanted to reveal unethical activities by the three council members being sued.