The City of Calhoun has reached a $1.35 million settlement in a federal employment lawsuit involving Christopher Cox, with city officials approving a budget amendment earlier this week to help cover the cost of the agreement.
In a statement released Friday, November 13, city officials confirmed that a settlement agreement was reached on November 2, 2026, in the case of Christopher Cox v. City of Calhoun, et al.
According to the statement, all parties agreed to a settlement totaling $1.35 million, with the payment coming from the City of Calhoun and its insurance carrier.
The city emphasized that the agreement does not constitute an admission of liability, stating that the decision to settle was determined to be in the city’s best interests.
During the Calhoun City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 9, council members approved a budget amendment totaling $854,778 to go toward the settlement payment.
Funding for the amendment came from several city revenue accounts, including franchise taxes associated with electric, sewage, water and telecommunications services, Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenue, building permits and other accounts.
The approved amendment represents a significant portion of the overall $1.35 million settlement.
In its Friday statement, the city also addressed changes made to its internal operations in recent years, noting that organizational and administrative improvements have been implemented since 2023.
According to city officials, those changes were designed to strengthen hiring practices, personnel management and internal accountability.
The city said it remains committed to providing employees with fair treatment, respect and equal opportunities for professional growth and development.
Officials also indicated that the city will continue reviewing its operational procedures to ensure leadership and staff receive appropriate guidance when handling employment-related matters.
The statement further emphasized the city’s responsibility to maintain public trust, protect public safety and make decisions that support the effective operation of local government.
While the settlement brings an agreement between the parties in the federal employment case, the city has maintained that it does not admit wrongdoing or liability in connection with the lawsuit.
The City of Calhoun concluded its Friday statement by saying it would have no further comment on the matter at this time.