The legal dispute over the use of barcodes on San Juan County election ballots has yet to be resolved.

But the county won’t be on the hook for any further legal costs after agreeing to pay the parties behind the lawsuit, Tim White and Allan Rosato, members of the local Green Party, and their attorneys, a lump sum of $10,000.

Both parties agreed to the $10,000 payment in October.

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said the payment is way to put a “cap” on whatever cost the county may incur in legal fees in the future.

The two parties agreed to the $10,000 payment in October.

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said the payment is way to put a “cap” on whatever future cost the county may incur in legal fees.

He said the payment amounts to a business decision and a means by which the county can eliminate financial risks or any future judgment against it.

It is not, he said, a sign that county officials expect to lose the case or believe that the ballot-tracker system employed by county is ineffective or violates the privacy provision of state or federal election laws.

“We strongly believe our election are done in a fair and honest manner because of the ballot tracker system,” he said.

Gaylord added that a system of tracking ballots is needed to provide checks and balances in the type of vote-by-mail-only elections which is used by San Juan and counties across the state.

Since it was remanded by the State Supreme Court back to San Juan County Superior Court, Gaylord said the case has remained “dormant” because of inaction on the part of the plaintiffs.

Tim White of Orcas Island said the $10,000 payment will cover earlier legal costs and should help rekindle the case.

Though checks and balance are needed, he said San Juan is one of only two counties which place “unique identifiers” on its ballots.

“Let’s just do it like the rest of the state and be done with it,” White said.