Union County authorizes up-to-$500,000 settlement in Meghan Tomlinson case

Chairman Joseph C. Bodek and County Counsel Bruce H. Bergen said the board discussed a potential settlement in Meghan Tomlinson v. Union County during a closed executive session and later authorized execution of a settlement agreement not to exceed $500,000. County Counsel Bergen told the board the proposed settlement would be split between the County and its insurer: $181,000 payable by the County and $319,000 payable by Chubb Insurance Company.

The item was first identified as subject to attorney–client privilege during the board's executive session discussion. Bergen said the minutes of the executive session would be kept separately and redacted as appropriate, and that the board could return and take formal action after executive session. On returning to open session, the board placed a settlement resolution on the agenda and authorized the County Manager to execute the agreement.

The settlement refers to docket number UNN-L-02518-23. County Counsel also presented related contract-appropriation adjustments for expert consultants tied to ongoing litigation matters. The board recorded the executive session votes that led to the discussion and the later authorization.

No board member statements opposing or amending the settlement terms are recorded in the agenda-setting minutes; the written authorization on the meeting agenda indicates the board approved placement of the settlement resolution for execution. The county clerk's published minutes and the clerk's office will hold the executive-session minutes, redacted as allowed, and make them available according to the Open Public Meetings Act schedule.

The board did not discuss payment timing or any nonmonetary terms in the open agenda text; those details are not specified in the minutes and, where unset, remain "not specified."