Orange County NC Website
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005 <br /> The other four counties in this category are Guilford, <br /> Mecklenburg, Forsyth, and Wake. <br /> Orange County's net legal services cost for 1983-84 was <br /> $57,699.78 (see attachment #1). The actual legal services cost <br /> (excluding secretarial and other non-personnel costs since all <br /> four have at least two staff attorneys) of the above named <br /> counties for 1982-83 and projected figures for subsequent years <br /> are as follows (see attachment #2): <br /> ziTDAT, PROJECTED 10% TNFjATTQN <br /> 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 <br /> Guilford Co. <br /> (2 staff atty.) $59,724 $65,696 $72,266 <br /> Mecklenburg Co. <br /> (2 staff atty.) 59,966 65,962 72,558 <br /> Plus Firm on Retainer <br /> Forsyth Co. <br /> (3 staff atty.) 123,009 135,309 148,840 <br /> Wake Co. <br /> (3 staff atty.) 93,784 103,162 113,478 <br /> As noted above, these 1982-83 actual figures and those projected <br /> do not include secretarial and other non-personnel costs. They <br /> were, however, considered normal for these counties for the year <br /> they were reported to the Institute of Government. These costs <br /> also do not reflect the quality or effectiveness of the services <br /> for which they were paid. <br /> During the current fiscal year under its contracted legal <br /> services arrangement, Orange County has expended a net of <br /> $23,647.07 for services (see attachment #3). If this trend <br /> continues (barring unexpected litigation), the county can expect <br /> to incur an approximate net cost of $50-55,000 for fiscal 84-85. <br /> This figure is substantially below that projected for <br /> counterparts which are vigorously pursuing planning and zoning <br /> activities. <br /> In considering whether the county would be better off hiring one <br /> or more staff attorneys, it is recognized that factors other <br /> than net economic cost must be considered. However, only <br /> economic cost will be considered here. If the county had hired <br /> a staff attorney at the beginning of the 1984-85 fiscal year, <br /> the following costs could have been expected: <br /> 1. Attorney salary $38,500 plus 17% Fringes $45,045 <br /> 2. Secretary (half time) $7,000 plus 17% Fringe 8,190 <br /> 3. . Telephone, copying, supplies 2,200 <br /> 4. Travel and mileage 1,200 <br /> 5. Periodicals and dues 2,000 <br /> 6. Office space, 600 sq. ft. @ $6/sq.ft. 3,600 <br /> Annual Cost $62,235 <br />