In only their second meeting of the new year, the Fayette County Commission voted 3-2 Thursday night for a mutual dismissal of the two legal cases between the County Commission and the Sheriff's Department.

The vote was met with great approval from Sheriff Randall Johnson and the nearly 25 employeees of the Sheriff's Department who sat through the hour-long executive session waiting for a decision.

"It's been a long drawn-out process. This allows us to resume doing our job and not spending two and a half years tied up in court. The taxpayers of this county took a bath on these issues," said Johnson.

The motion for dismissal was made by newly-elected Commissioner Eric Maxwell who alluded to a settlement letter sent by the sheriff's attorney, Rick Lindsay, to the county.

The two cases involve the powers of the marshal's office and Johnson's construction of a building to house the department's helicopter.

"There's been a lot of bad feelings on both sides. There's got to be a time to stop this," Maxwell said.

Commissioner Peter Pfeifer said he couldn’t support the motion, and new Chairman Jack Smith said he also had problems dropping the issues.

“I think it’s regretful these lawsuits were filed in the first place, but it doesn’t make sense to get this close to a factual answer and drop it,” he said.

The commission did not have the actual settlement in front of them, but after the meeting Smith said part of the agreement stipulates the sheriff will accept arrests at the county jail from the marshal’s office.

“The factual issue that will have to be determined at some point is if the marshal’s office was created before 1992 and constitutes a county police force.” Smith said.

The settlement also allows the sheriff to keep his helicopter building, but would not allow him to build any further structures, said Commissioner Herb Frady, who along with Commissioner Robert Horgan supported the motion.

After the meeting, Johnson made his way to the front of the meeting room to shake hands with the commissioners who supported the motion. As he passed Commissioner Pfeifer, Johnson glared at him and remarked, “I still don’t understand what you’re thinking, Peter.”