Minutes - 19781204 - Laserfiche WebLink

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801 Commissioner Whitted said it is implicit in the motion that the attorney's compensation agreement will be reviewed before adopting the next budget for the county. He said it is also implicit that Commissioner Walker will be included in any and all discussions concerning the County Attorney. Commissioner Barnes asked whether the overbilling in social services and IV-D had been credited. Mr. Coleman said that it had. She also asked whether the attorneys would credit the county with attorney fees awarded by the court: Mr. Coleman said that they would. - - The Finance Director explained to the Board the reason there were two contracts, one for social services and one for IV-D, was to meet state requirements so the county could be reimbursed. Commissioner lJhitted said he recalled the agreement with the County Attorneys to be as follows: The firm was appointed by the Board at the first Monday meeting in December, 1974. The firm agreed to represent the county for the balance of the budgeted retainer that year - $2,500. In the 1975 budget session the Board agreed to pay the attorneys a $9,500 retainer. The firm was paid a $9,50D retainer in 1975.' In 1976, the Board reappointed the law firm with the current arrangement unless something occurred to change that arrangement. Commissioner Walker said he recalled Mr. Gledhill telling the Board he did not bill for a retainer - he billed only for services rendered. Commissioner Willhoit said nothing has happened to change the arrangement that was made in 1975. Commissioner Barnes said if the Board entered into an agreement, it should be honored. Commissioner Gustaveson said the Board committed itself to a retainer agreement which has not changed. He said the Board asked the attorneys be present at all Board meetings, which is why the retainer went up. He felt the county was getting a good deal. Commissioner Barnes asked when the retainer fee was paid in 1975. The Finance Director said the $9,500 was paid on August 4, 1975 at the personal request of Mr. Bernholz. It was not in bill form. He said he had not been • able to find the $9,500 mentioned in the budget documents in 1975.