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ITEM: OUTSIDE LEGAL FEES AND COSTS
REQUEST: Approval of continued use of outside professional legal services with multiple firms in an amount up to $90,000.00 through September 30, 2019.
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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, human resources related issues, and other areas in which special expertise is needed. These outside legal expenses were anticipated and are part of the overall 2019 fiscal year legal budget.
To date, invoices totaling $87,387.05 have been processed for various firms and projects. Of that, a total of $37,171.65 has been processed for Lehtinen Schultz, PLLC for which the Village currently has five (5) pending cases, one or more of which may ultimately exceed individual expenditures of over $25,000. Staff last sought Council approval for outside legal fees on December 4, 2018 in an amount of up to $115,000. Pursuant to the Village's purchasing policy, legal expenses are exempt from competitive bidding requirements. However, individual expenditures for which the cumulative totals are over $25,000, for any single project, require Council approval.
Staff recommends approval of continued use of outside legal services with multiple firms in an amount up to $90,000.00 through September 30, 2019. Any unused funds will be carried over to the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Sufficient funds have been allocated in the Legal GL #10013130-531001 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 #10013130-531001 for outside legal services.
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Protecting our Investment
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of continued use of outside professional legal services with multiple firms in an amount ...
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