Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman has been given the authority to settle litigation on behalf of the city up to $25,000, after a unanimous vote by city council.
City attorney Jeremy Berry introduced the ordinance at the Jan. 14 city council meeting.
“Right now, the city manager’s office can approve purchases up to $100,000,” Berry said. “This would authorize the city manager to settle litigation or claims, or other matters, including the condemnation of land we just approved for the multi-use path, up to $25,000.”
The city attorney would provide written notice to the city manager to settle a legal matter, which is “not binding. It is merely advice,” Berry said.
Prior to entering into a binding agreement on behalf of the city, the city manager was required to notify the mayor and city council in writing regarding the litigation and his intent to settle. City council members were allowed to provide input.
“Effectively, what it does is [allow] council to decide something like this without having to do it in a meeting,” Park said.
Berry said the city manager’s communication to city council members is privileged. Sigman’s settlement authorization will be recorded in the monthly department reports found here.
In lawsuit-related news, John and Leslie Medford sued the city of Brookhaven over the city’s “negligent design, negligent construction, and failure to maintain the city’s storm drainage systems that lie on and adjacent to the property.”
The lawsuit was filed in January 2023, and settled for an undisclosed amount in January 2025. The city will pay a $10,000 deductible to its insurance carrier, Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA).
