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ITEM: OUTSIDE LEGAL FEES AND COSTS
REQUEST: Approval of continued use of outside professional legal services with the firm of Lehtinen Schultz Riedi Catalano de la Fuente, PLLC (LSRCF) in an amount up to $125,000 for the 2015/2016 fiscal year.
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EXPLANATION: Various outside law firms have been retained by the Village of Wellington to serve as its legal counsel in pending lawsuits and human resources related issues. The Village is currently in receipt of invoices from the firm of Lehtinen Schultz Riedi Catalano de la Fuente, PLLC (LSRCF) for the first three months of fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015) totaling $54,675.99. Additional expenditures required throughout the fiscal year will likely bring the total to approximately $125,000.
Much of the recent litigation relates to pending or newly initiated lawsuits and appeals involving Polo West and Palm Beach Polo, Inc. Pursuant to the Village's purchasing policy, legal expenses are exempt from competitive bid requirements; however, individual expenditures for which the cumulative totals are over $25,000, for any single project, requires Council approval.
Staff recommends approval of continued use of outside legal services with LSRCF in an amount up to $125,000 for fiscal year 2016.
Additionally, cumulative totals for other various outside law firms handling miscellaneous Village matters are not expected to exceed $25,000.
Sufficient funds have been allocated in the Legal GL #001-0130-514.31-01 for outside legal services to cover the cost of these expenditures.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: NO QUASI-JUDICIAL:
FIRST READING: SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: Sufficient funds have been allocated in the Legal GL #001-0130-514.31-01 for outside legal services.
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Protecting our Investment
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of continued use of outside professi...
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