Resolution No. 22-45RESOLUTION NO. 22-45
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE
RECRUITMENT OF AN IN-HOUSE CITY ATTORNEY AND SUPPORT STAFF.
WHEREAS, the City Charter states that the "City Commission shall appoint a city attorney, which may
be a law firm, who shall be an attorney with at least five years of experience in the practice of general, civil or
municipal law, admitted in and having authority to practice in all courts of this state, and who shall be
compensated at a rate set by the Commission"; and
WHEREAS, the City currently contracts with Brenna Durden, Esq. with the law firm of Lewis,
Longman and Walker to provide legal services as the City's Attorney; and
WHEREAS, the remuneration for legal services outlined in the contract with Ms. Durden is based on
an hourly basis at $225 for the first 20 hours of meetings per month and then $250 for meetings over 20 hours
and all legal work; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Durden has provided an average of 14.43 hours per week in legal services to the city
since October of 2019, for an average annual fee of $165,000; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide direct legal support for the City, the City is interested in hiring an in-
house attorney and paralegal support.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Commission recognizes the importance to the City of having an in-house city
attorney and support staff,
SECTION 2. The City Commission recognizes the importance to the City of being able to prioritize
and direct the provision of legal services;
SECTION 3. The City Commission hereby directs staff to begin recruitment for an in-house city
attorney and then a paralegal or alternate support staff,
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, this 25th day of July, 2022.
L�
e Glasser, Mayor
Attest: f
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
�na Dur V n, City Attorney