Commissioners to file breach of contract lawsuit against Village of Rutland

More litigation is expected over the old bus garage property. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.

POMEROY – Issues with Rutland Village and the County Commissioners continue as further litigation filing is now pending with the courts.

During their regular weekly meeting, the Meigs County Commissioners voted to proceed with filing a breach of contract lawsuit against the Village of Rutland.

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley serving in his capacity as attorney for Meigs County met with all three County Commissioners on Feb. 23, 2017. The Commissioners voted to go into executive session to discuss legal matters at 11:39 a.m. The Commissioners returned from executive session at 11:56 a.m.

Back in open session, Stanley said that he recommended on the matter regarding the Village of Rutland for the Commissioners to file a “breach of contract” lawsuit. Commissioner Randy Smith made the motion to have Stanley file the suit and any other documentation or filings Stanley deemed necessary. Commissioner Tim Ihle seconded the motion. Commissioner Mike Bartrum voted yes to the new litigation with the Village of Rutland along with Commissioners Ihle and Smith.

Judge D. Dean Evans previously granted a preliminary injunction against the Village of Rutland on the sale of contested property in the village known as the “old bus garage” property. The Village of Rutland had attempted to sell property to Dollar General. The Meigs County Commissioners claimed the property was to have been part of the assets transferred when the county had to take over the failing water and sewer departments of the village in 2012. Rutland has long had financial issues and the debt was such that either the County Commissioners stepped in or federal agencies would have taken over the facilities.

For more information on the issues between the Meigs County Commissioners and the Village of Rutland, read the links below. The Meigs Independent Press broke the Rutland story and will continue to follow up as it continues to develop.