The city of Leesville is preparing to settle a 2012 lawsuit with a firefighter after the city failed to respond to her public records request.

According to Leesville’s attorney, Chuck Dowden, the city is drawing up paperwork to settle with Tiffany Baker.

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in June ruled in favor of Baker, who had requested various documents and records in relation to the accumulation of leave.

The 30th Judicial District Court had ruled in favor of Baker but had precluded an award of penalties and attorney fees. The appellate court found fault with the city in November last year after it failed to respond to Baker’s requests.

Baker asked both the city and its civil service board for all documents related to the rate of accumulation and use of leave for fire employees from Jan. 1, 2007, to June 26, 2012. The civil service board partially filled the request after Baker filed suit in November 2012.

According to the court’s ruling, issued Nov. 20, 2013, the city had the burden of proving that a record is not public and that it was the duty of the city to fill the request. The 3rd Circuit ordered the city to pay $25 per day from the date of Baker’s request until it was filled and $3,500 in attorney fees.

Dowden said he expected to have a resolution drawn up for the next City Council meeting to authorize paying Baker.(MGNonline)