LAWTON — The Comanche County Board of Commissioners recently earmarked funds for legal services related to a lawsuit filed by the Cache school district.
The commission voted 3-0 April 10 to encumber $25,000 from the county’s Home Finance Principle Fund to pay the Oklahoma City-based law firm Collins, Zorn and Wagner for its work on the lawsuit. The item appeared on the commission’s consent agenda, which typically consists of routine items that can be approved on a single motion.
Commissioner Josh Powers was absent, but his sworn first deputy, Kenny Kinder, filled in for him.
The Cache school district is suing the county, alleging that the county assessor’s office made a significant valuation error two years ago that cost the school district millions in tax revenue. Defendants in the case are Assessor Grant Edwards, the Comanche County Equalization Board and the Comanche County
Treasurer’s Office.
A member of Edwards’ staff miscalculated the school district’s net assessed valuation in 2021, Southwest Ledger reported earlier this month. The newspaper said county officials acknowledged the mistake about a year later but said they were not aware of the problem until June 2022.
County officials also said a conflict between the Oklahoma Tax Commission and Goodyear Co. had contributed to the problem.
The school district is seeking approximately $3.3 million in damages in addition to attorneys’ fees, court costs and other relief.