Submitted By: Chris Watt
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Presentation By: Sandra Wilson
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Department: Human Resources and Risk Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
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Discussion and vote on changing the City Attorney position from an outside counsel position to an in-house employee position reporting to the City Council as discussed in the City Attorney workshop held on January 25, 2022.
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
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BACKGROUND:
On January 25, 2022, the City Council conducted a workshop to examine the feasibility of hiring in-house legal counsel when the outside counsel contract with the current City Attorney expires on October 31, 2022. The City Council decided to further discuss the option at the City Council meeting on March 1, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The in-house City Attorney budget is calculated to be $949, 957 for the cost of a City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, Paralegal and Administrative Assistant III. Based on a three-year average of City Attorney legal fees for the years 2019 through 2021 in the amount of $967,049, the fiscal impact is neutral.
ALTERNATIVE:
Continue with current outside counsel or seek legal services from another outside law firm.