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~ ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 29, 2000 <br />Action Agend <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Special Contract for Legal_Service <br />DEPARTMENT: County Attorney PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Geoffrey Gledhill, 732-2196 <br />Proposed Contract <br />TELEPHONE N <br />Hillsborough <br />Chapel Hill <br />Durham <br />Mebane <br />UMBERS: <br />732-8181 <br />968501 <br />fi88-7331 <br />33fi-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To contract with Michael B. Brough and The Brough Law Firm to associate with <br />the County Attomey in the handling of the counterclaims against Orange County in the cases <br />captioned Mary t~lliams v. Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Orange County, et al. and Katherine <br />Cooper-Harris v. Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Orange County, et al. <br />BACKGROUND: Blue Cross Blue Shield has counterclaimed against Orange County in the <br />cases referred to above contending that the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance violates the <br />North Carolina Constitution. Further it is anticipated that Blue Cross Blue Shield will attempt to <br />contend that the ordinances also violate the United States Constitution. Michael Brough has a <br />considerable amount of experience in local government litigation and in litigation involving <br />constitutional questions in local government and will provide valuable assistance if associated in <br />the litigation referred to above. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Unknown at this time; estimated not to exceed $15,000.00. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The County Attomey recommends that the Board: (1) authorize a <br />professional services employment contract between Orange County and The Brough Law Firm <br />employing the firm to represent Orange County with the County Attomey in the cases of Mary <br />Williams v. Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Orange County, et al. and Katherine Cooper-Harris v. <br />Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Orange County, et al. at an hourly rate equal to but not exceeding <br />that which he charges other local governments which are not his retainer clients (presently <br />$150.00 per hour plus expenses) and (2) authorize the County Manager to sign the contract. <br />