Agenda - 11-18-2008 - 4p - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 18, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. !~ SUBJECT: County Attorney Transition and Legal Services Contract Approval DEPARTMENT: County Attorney PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Geoffrey Gledhill, 732-2196 11/11/08 Letter from Geof Gledhill with Laura Blackmon, 245-2300 5/30/08 Letter of Retirement and Proposed Contract PURPOSE: To consider approving a contract with the law firm of Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave & Peek for legal services to the County. BACKGROUND: In May 2008, County Attorney Geof Gledhill informed the Board of Commissioners of his plans to retire from the practice of law and his desire to end his service as County Attorney effective December 1, 2008. (That letter is included in the attachment to this abstract.) Based on this information the Board began a process to solicit interest and retain a new "in house" County Attorney to direct legal services for the County. The Board's process is continuing and it is estimated the Board will retain a new County Attorney by March 2009. This results in a gap of approximately 4 months the Board needs to address regarding the provision of legal services. BOCC Chair Barry Jacobs, Vice Chair Valerie Foushee, County Manager Laura Blackmon, and Mr. Gledhill have discussed the pending gap in legal services. Mr. Gledhill has offered, in the attached letter dated November 11, 2008, to continue serving during this period as County Attorney as part of his firm, Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave & Peek. (Note: The county attorney function is performed by Mr. Gledhill and other members of the firm.) To accomplish this, Mr. Gledhill has provided a contract which is an attachment to the November 11 letter. The contract calls for the following services: • performing legal services and rendering advice to the County on such occasions as may be required by the County; • attend all County Commissioner meetings, work sessions and public hearings, generally excepting budget work sessions;