Three Elbert County Commissioners named in a lawsuit alleging they conducted official business outside of public purview have asked the court to dismiss the case that could hold them financially responsible for contracts they awarded.
In September, a group of Elbert County residents sued the board and commissioners Chris Richardson, Dallas Schroeder, and Grant Thayer in their official capacities after it was discovered they gave hefty employment contracts to County Manager Shawn Fletcher and longtime County Attorney Bart Greer.
The defendants, as stated in court documents filed on Friday, assert that two plaintiffs’ three claims are moot because the county approved the employment contracts in question at a special July 24 board meeting — although the county had already been paying out on them.
Locals suggest the special meeting move was more of a “rubber stamp” by the commissioners to cover the error.
Richardson, who serves as the board chair …