Submitted By
Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving the Engagement of Attorneys/Law Firms for Legal Services to be Performed on Behalf of the Village of Oak Park for the 2024 Fiscal Year
End
Overview
Overview
Since 2012, it has been standard protocol for the Village Manager to bring all engagements for contractual legal services to the Village Board for authorization in the event that through the course of a calendar year, the costs of services were to exceed $50,000.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal year 2024 budget provides funding for contractual legal services in the General Fund in account #1001-41070-101-530667 with an allocation of $185,000.
Background
Pursuant to Section 2-5-1 of the Oak Park Village Code, the Village Manager is authorized to employ legal counsel for the various needs of the Village. The Village Board is further authorized to approve the engagement of independent contractors for the purpose of handling specific legal matters per Section 2-6-1 of the Code which requires all contracts over $50,000 to be authorized by the Village Board. The request for authorization is being presented in the event that the total cost for hourly services would exceed $50,000 for any individual firm.
DEI Impact
N/A
Alternatives
The Village could elect to eliminate contractually provided legal services. However, this alternative is not recommended as the diverse nature of municipal services at times necessitates that it is most efficient to engage outside counsel with specific expertise.
Previous Board Action
Annually, the Village Board has authorized similar contractual service agreements for legal services.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
Due to the nature of legal services, there is no opportunity for shared services in this area.