by Heather Graf
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- It's a number that might shock you - nearly a million dollars in taxpayer money is being shelled out each year, because of mistakes made by Metro employees.
In fact, on Tuesday night,, council members had to approve another $71,000 in settlements. It's money that is paid out to people who've filed claims against the city.
"If a settlement resolution gets to us, it means the legal department thinks it's in Metro's best interest to settle out of court," said Sean McGuire, who is the chairman of council's Budget & Finance Committee. "And the cost of the settlement is minimal in comparison to what we could have to pay, if we were to go to court and then ultimately lose a judgement in court."
Tuesday's highest payout was $45,000 to a couple who crashed a motor scooter on Mount View Road. Public Works had milled the road for re-paving, but there were no signs warning motorists about the road's conditions.
Council members also approved a $10,000 payout to a woman who was hurt in a crash involving a Metro Police officer. The officer had his lights and sirens on as he approached an intersection, but hit three other vehicles.
In another case, a woman will get $6,000 after being rear-ended by a Metro officer at a stop sign. Both vehicles had come to a complete stop when the officer rolled forward and hit the woman's car. The crash did just under $600 in damage to her car, but she says she suffered back, neck, and chest pain.
Another $10,000 will go to a woman, hit by a Metro vehicle as she walked across the parking lot of a Murfreesboro restaurant.
The settlements approved by Council are made at the recommendation of Metro's team of lawyers. McGuire says the finance committee scrutinizes each settlement before it goes to full council.
"Just yesterday, we had an official from public works in here on the $45,000 judgement," he said. "And we questioned him about what exactly happened, what can we do differently in the future, to prevent this and to prevent us from having to pay out a settlement such as this."
He says it's an issue council would rather not see on its agenda, but the bottom line is that mistakes happen.
"Unfortunately, we're all humans, and accidents happen, and so what we just want is to remain vigilant about this so we can prevent accidents like this from happening in the future," he said.
In the 2011 fiscal year, Metro shelled out $1,029,773 in settlement payments. So far this fiscal year, that number is $709,226.
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