07-25-22 Handout - Inhouse Attorney - Mayor GlasserFW JOY 25th meeting - public comment
Mon 7/25/2022 3:51 PM
To:Bole,Bruce <bbole@coab.us>; Glasser, Ellen <eglasser@coab.us>; Kelly, Candace <ckelly@coab.us>; Norris, Brittany
<bnorris@coab.us>; Waters,Mike <mwaters@coab.us>;
cc: Hogencamp,Kevin <kHogencamp@coab.us>; Corbin, Shane <scorbin@coab.us>; Jennifer Deery (Jennifer_deery1@hotmail.com)
<Jennifer_deery1@hotmail.com>;
If you decide to respond to Ms. Lagner, please do not include any other Commissioner, due to Sunshine
Laws.
Thank you,
Donna L. Bartle
City Clerk
City of Atlantic Beach
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
(904) 247-5809
From: Jennifer Deery [mailto:Jennifer_Deeryl @hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2022 2:52 PM
To: Bartle, Donna <dbartle@coab.us>; Bole,Bruce <bbole@coab.us>; Hogencamp,Kevin
<kHogencam p@coati. us>
Subject: July 25th meeting - public comment
Good afternoon,
I am not able to attend the meeting this even due to a last minute conflict but wanted to share in case
this could be read as part of public comment or share with other commissioners. This is regarding
the resolution 22-45 for inhouse attorney and support staff.
The City of Atlantic Beach is growing and is getting more complicated, so having the appropriate staff
structure is critical to meet those needs. This is awkward to discuss, but Brenna Durden, as she
always has, will handle it with professionalism and grace. However, the Commission should address
the resolution taking personalities and relationships out of the equation since this is not about
Brenna's performance but about not having full time legal support on staff to address city needs
without worrying about billable hours.
The focus on the cost is warranted but in looking and the number of hours and costs, the overall
value is in Option 1 hiring the city attorney and support on staff like the other beach cities have.
Based on what is noted in the resolution, 14.43 hours per week = 750.36 hours per year (less than a
part time employee). Using $165,000 divided by 750.36, this equates to $219.89 per hour. Option 1
estimate of $302,883 divided by 4,160 (which is 2 FT people) is $72.81. Although higher overall cost
of $137,883, the overall hour increase is 3,409.64. You can all do the math but the value in having
those hours on staff would have a direct positive impact and worth the cost.
it is common practice for attorneys to source others for litigation that may be outside of their expertise
and while that is a concern, having an inhouse counsel could help mitigate issues before they get to
litigation. Thank you - I think my 3 minutes are up.
Jenn Lagner
278 Seminole Road