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CALDWELL — The sum will compensate the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho for its costs to pursue a class-action suit against the county that alleged inhumane conditions in the county jail.
County leaders balked at the ACLU’s fee request of $193,000 earlier this fall, saying it was unreasonably high. By time the two sides went into mediation last week, the ACLU was asking for $215,000.
Canyon County Commissioner Steve Rule on Thursday brought the compromise to the full board, which unanimously approved it.
“I commend the commissioners for not pushing to continue this fight, which would have accrued more attorneys fees,” said Idaho ACLU Executive Director Monica Hopkins. “This points out if there are constitutional violations, there is a price to pay.”
She praised the commissioners for entering into a consent decree that addressed all 14 constitutional violations alleged in the lawsuit and for acting quickly to correct the problems. Among other things, the agreement caps the population at the chronically overcrowded jail.
On the county side, nobody’s happy about the outcome, but it was clear that continuing to fight would only drive the eventual cost higher, said Rule, who participated in the mediation.
The money will come from the county’s risk management fund, which is used to cover settlements and other unanticipated legal costs, Rule said. Details abut when the fees must be paid, and whether they will be paid in a lump sum or in installments, have yet to be worked out.
“I’m not pleased,” Rule said. “I feel cornered. To fight ’em, though, would not be using common sense.”
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