County Settles Landfill Lawsuit

Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County has settled a lawsuit related to the failed attempt to close the Jamestown Landfill.

The county will receive $4.3 million from Bryan A. Stirrat and Associates. (BAS) was hired in 2008 to close the landfill, but shortly after construction was completed, the closure failed.

$800,000 from the settlement will go directly to Lexington Insurance Company, to refund a claim amount paid to Tuolumne County because of the failed closure. The County later took out a $5 million loan from the California State Association of Counties to finish the job. The remaining $3.5 million from the settlement will cover a portion of the amount borrowed. The $1.5 million left on the loan will be paid back by the county over a period of five years.

The Board of Supervisors approved the settlement agreement with a 5-0 vote.