Sullivan County will be paying between $1.8 million and $2 million during the upcoming fiscal year in its settlement with Sheriff Wayne Anderson concerning the lawsuit the sheriff brought against the county in 2015 concerning underfunding.   In response to the payment the sheriff stated he “expected more.”

In a statement to the media, the sheriff said, “I was hoping we would come out with what we actually asked for in the complaint that we filed."  "I will always be asking for more because we need more.   This right here [settlement] did not solve everything we needed.” Despite his disappointment, the sheriff will not be filing a follow up lawsuit “right now”. The settlement itself dismisses the suit permanently, meaning it cannot be brought back to court.   It also prevents Anderson from filing a separate suit regarding funding in this fiscal year. 

The sheriff originally asked for $6.5 million in his lawsuit.   The suit was settled out of court during mediation in June.   Sheriff Anderson described the settlement as “middle of the road”.

The dispute arose when the country cut funding to the police force.   Now, the settlement money will be used for a five percent pay increase for the 200 Sheriff’s Office employees, as well as to hire 18 additional employees and pay for discretionary bonuses.   There is also approximately $56,000 in attorney and litigation expenses, and expert witness fees from the lawsuit.  The lawsuit cost the county more than $142,800 in legal fees and expenses. 

Anderson himself will not receive a pay increase from the settlement because he is a state employee.