New law firm prompts budget questions from Alexandria council member

Caleb Amick, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
·1 min read

Oct. 3—ALEXANDRIA — The City of Alexandria's decision to hire the Indy-based law firm Taft Stettinius and Hollister came with a higher price tag than the previous firm, prompting questions from a city council member during Monday's meeting.

"How are we going to pay for this? Our budget has been done, we're jumping from (about) $25,000 to $42,000 (per year) initially," Councilwoman Patty Kuhn asked Clerk-Treasurer Darcy VanErman.

"All I want to know is, where will we come up with the extra money?"

VanErman said funds could be appropriated from the Board of Works funds and other areas. The city would be operating within its means.

Taft is charging Alexandria $3,500 per month for services such as attending meetings, assisting with ordinances, consultations with city officials and travel.

The previous firm, Graham, Farrer and Wilson, an Elwood-based firm, charged the city $2,080 per month.

Taft could also charge Alexandria $260 per hour for new associates, $750 per hour for a partner and anywhere from $140 to $355 per hour for paralegals for any additional services.

Such fees and stipulations were spelled out in Taft's engagement letter with the city. The letter was signed by Mayor Todd Naselroad on Sept. 19, resulting in the firm's hire.

Newly-hired City Attorney Chou-il Lee said the firm has about 16 attorneys specializing in municipal affairs. Such numbers allow them to handle legal matters in short order.

Lee presented a draft of an Unsafe Building Ordinance for Alexandria, which had a first reading Monday evening. Not much was said about the ordinance — it was read by title only.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.