Submitted By
Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Reviewed By
Ahmad 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 2025 Fiscal Year.
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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.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution
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. The engaged firms provide representation to the Village in labor negotiations, prosecution of traffic offenses, defense of Workers' Compensation matters, and to provide general legal services.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal year 2025 budget provides funding for contractual legal services in the General Fund in account #1001-41070-101-530667 with an allocation of $185,000.
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
The Board has previously approved similar items in FY 2024 (RES 24-106), FY 2023 (RES 22-297), FY 2022 (R...
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