Did you pay Lincoln County money for water availability fees between December 8, 2018 and today?
A court authorized this notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
Thomas P. Renard and Betty H. Renard have filed a lawsuit in Lincoln County Superior Court, styled as Thomas P. Renard and Betty H. Renard, on their own behalf and on behalf of all those similarly situated v. Lincoln County, Georgia, Civil Action File No. 23CV0132 seeking refund of water availability fees they paid to Lincoln County between December 8, 2018 and today.
The Renards filed this action on their own behalf, and on behalf of all persons similarly situated. You have been identified as one of those similarly situated persons.
In 2025, the Lincoln County Superior Court certified the Renards’ suit as a class action, and defined the class of individuals affected by the suit as follows: All persons, who are or were formerly owners of real property in Lincoln County, Georgia between December 8, 2018, and through the conclusion of this action, and who paid moneys to the Lincoln County Water Department pursuant to and as a result of the Water Availability Fee Ordinance (70-126). Persons excluded from the above-defined class are judges and staff of the Lincoln County Superior Court and any persons who have previously had a claim for refund of Water Availability Fees adjudicated.
No final judgment has been reached in the action as of yet.
You have the right to be excluded from the class if you request exclusion by a specified date.
Your legal rights are affected whether you act, or do not act. Read this notice carefully.
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS
Basic Information
Why was this notice issued?
A Court authorized this notice because you have a right to know about this litigation, including your right to “opt out” or exclude yourself so that you take no part in any potential recovery. If the Court grants judgment in the plaintiffs’ favor, and any money is recovered by the Plaintiffs, you will be mailed your portion of the proceeds. This notice explains the lawsuit, your legal rights, what benefits are available, who may be eligible for them, and how to get them.
What is this lawsuit about?
This action arose when Thomas P. Renard and Betty filed suit in 2023 seeking refund of $3,020 in water availability fees they paid to Lincoln County between December 8, 2018 and today. Specifically, the Plaintiffs in this case allege that the water availability fees are an illegal tax, and must be refunded to the taxpayers.
Why is this a class action?
In a class action, one or more people called “Class Representatives” sue on behalf of people who have similar claims, who are the “Class” or “Class Members.” One court resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class.
Has a final judgment been reached?
The Lincoln County Superior Court has not yet decided whether any member of the class is entitled to a refund of water availability fees paid. Once a final judgment is rendered, you will be notified.
Doing Nothing
What if I do nothing with this notice?
If you do nothing with this notice, you will be become a member of the class. You will be represented by the Class Representatives and Class Counsel, who will pursue your claims against Lincoln County. Any claim you have against Lincoln County for the same subject matter will be finally determined by the outcome of this case.
The Lawyers Respresenting You
Do I have a lawyer in this case?
Yes. The Court appointed certain attorneys, known as Class Counsel, to represent you and other class members in this action. You do not have to pay them. If you want to be represented by your Renard v. Lincoln County own lawyer, and have that lawyer appear in court for you in this case, you may hire one at your own expense.
The Court has appointed the following attorney to represent you:
Jeffrey F. Peil
Ga. State Bar No. 967902
Huggins Peil, LLC
7013 Evans Town Center Blvd.
Suite 502
Evans, Georgia 30809
jpeil@hugginsfirm.com
Excluding Yourself From The Case
If you do not want to be a part of this litigation, and you want to keep the right to sue Lincoln County about the issues in this case, then you must take steps to get out. This is called excluding yourself from—or is sometimes referred to as “opting out” of—the Settlement.
How do I get out of the case?
To exclude yourself from the case, you must file notice of your desire to be excluded from the case with Amanda Doss, Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court (Case No. 23CV0132), stating your full name, address, and telephone number, and sign the request, stating your desire to be excluded from the class action. Your exclusion request will not be valid, and you will be bound by the final judgment, if you do not include this information in your exclusion request. You cannot exclude yourself on the phone or via the website.
If I don’t exclude myself, can I sue Lincoln County for the same thing afterward?
No. Unless you exclude yourself, you give up any right to sue Lincoln County for the claims that this action seeks to resolve. You must exclude yourself from this class to start your own lawsuit. Remember, any exclusion requests must be submitted as outlined above.