HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 ADJ C.A. RATES 05-06-08Agenda Item 17
--- +' Reviewed:
AGENDA REPORT City Manager
;~ Finance Director NIA
MEETING DATE: MAY 6, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: ADJUST RATES FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES
SUMMARY:
The City's rates for city attorney services were last adjusted on July 1, 2005. The City Attorney is
requesting that the rates be raised from $174.00 per hour to $195.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the Mayor to execute an amendment to the City's existing agreement with Woodruff,
Spradlin & Smart for legal services to increase the rates for legal services to $195.00 per hour for
attorneys and $110 per hour for paralegals effective July 1, 2008 and provide for an automatic
annual CPI adjustment up to five percent. In the event the CPI exceeded five percent in any year,
City Council approval would be required for any additional amount.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs for this increase will be included in the fiscal year 2008-09 budget.
DISCUSSION:
The City has an agreement for legal services with the law firm of Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart.
The rates for services were last adjusted on July 1, 2005 at $174.00 per hour for attorneys and
$100.00 per hour for paralegals. Since that time, the CPI has risen approximately 12%. The City
Attorney has requested an increase in rates to $195.00 per hour for attorneys and $110.00 per
hour for paralegals. He has also proposed that the rates be adjusted by annually by the amount of
the CPI. The first CPI adjustment would occur on July 1, 2009.
William Hus o
City Manager
LAW OFFICES OF
WOODRUFF, SPRADLIN & SMART
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
MEMORANDUM
TO: William Huston, City Manager
FROM: Douglas Holland, City Attorney
DATE: May 1, 2008
RE: Increase in Rates for Legal Services
am requesting an increase in rates for legal services. I would ask that this item
be placed on the May 6, 2008 agenda.
My firm's rates for legal services were last adjusted on July 1, 2005. Since this
last increase, the cost of living has continued to rise and our costs have risen
accordingly. The current fees are $174.00 per hour for attorneys and $100.00 for
paralegals. The CPI has risen by about 12% since the last increase. I am requesting
increases generally consistent with these increased costs to $195.00 for attorneys and
$110.00 for paralegals.
I am also requesting inclusion of an automatic annual adjustment based on
increases in the CPI so that the fees keep pace with the cost of living. I would propose
that the annual CPI adjustment commence on July 1, 2009 so that these adjustments
are in sync with the City's annual budget.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.