Burke County commissioners won’t supply attorney for sheriff to sue

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Burke County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday for Sheriff Alfonzo Williams to find independent counsel if he decides to follow through with suing the county.

The sheriff did not attend the meeting, and Col. Lee Webster attended on his behalf.

The board also said the sheriff cannot use the county attorney because of a conflict of interest.

Commissioners said that if the sheriff feels that he wants to sue the county and taxpayers, then they will have to pay for the attorney at the rate of $175 per hour, which is the county rate. Significantly lower than the $400 per hour rate Williams is asking for.

Georgia law requires the county to pay for a constitutional officer’s attorney but only at the rate of the county attorney. He’s not allowed to pay extra with county funds, according to county officials.

The board said they didn’t feel like they had a dispute with Williams and the sheriff’s office because they say they have properly funded his department since he’s been in office in 2017.

We spoke to some county commissioners after the meeting and they said they feel it is very likely that the sheriff will go through with suing.

They said they wanted to get the point across that it is not just between the sheriff and the board of commission, but also between the taxpayers.

Webster said Williams is a constitutional officer and is entitled to his budget. He also said they want the commission to accept the sheriff’s letter that they sent last week saying this is a way for both parties to move forward.

“I hate it’s come to this,” said Evans Martin, District 3 commissioner. “It’s the job of the board of commissioners to provide him a budget. We provided him a well budget. The sheriff’s office does a great job policing. We just feel like they have the appropriate budget and that he needs to stay within that budget”

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