Summit County Council approved a $159,000 settlement in an October sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the county by retired employee Gabrielle Tyree.
Council went into executive session before unanimously approving the financial agreement made in federal court on May 23.
Tyree sued the county after a former co-worker, Andrew Baumann, 39, who worked in the delinquent tax department, admitted he masturbated in front of her.
Baumann was also accused of taunting Tyree because of her age. She was 70.
Tyree claimed in her lawsuit that Baumann was not really disciplined but only moved to another department and given a 10-day suspension that was suspended and not enforced. Baumann resigned Feb. 26.
Auction at courthouse
In other action, council approved allowing Summit County Probate Court to hold an auction to sell a variety of exclusive items in the court and offices, including antique wall clocks and grandfather clocks, roll-top desks, bronze statues, antique furniture and framed pieces of artwork.
Probate Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer said because county finances are tight, she would like to use the proceeds for physical upgrades in the offices such as workstations and carpet.
The auction will be held June 27 on the first floor of the Summit County Courthouse, 209 S. High St., in the rotunda in front of the probate court offices.
Young’s Auction Service will conduct the auction.
A preview of items will be on display from 4 to 5 p.m. and the auction will start at 5 p.m..
A list of the items to be auctioned can be viewed at www.youngsauctionservice.com.
Employee raises
Also Monday, the County Council approved three union contracts that include 1.5 percent raises. The contracts of the bargaining units were amended after wage reopener clauses were settled. Employees will be given the pay raise in the third year of their contracts, effective April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014.
Raises will go to Local 1229 and Ohio Council 8 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, which has 13 employees in the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, 33 clerical and office staff in the sheriff’s office and 15 communication technicians in the sheriff’s office.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.