The Wheeler City Council convened on May 21, 2024, to address several pressing financial matters, particularly concerning legal fees incurred over the past two years. The meeting began with a discussion on the city's legal expenses, which have recently come under scrutiny due to a significant backlog of unpaid bills.

Council members revealed that a previous arrangement allowed the city to limit legal fees to approximately $3,000 per month. However, this led to a situation where additional work was performed but not billed immediately, resulting in an accumulation of outstanding payments that reached over $20,000. This backlog stemmed from a lack of visibility into the invoicing process, as the legal firm selectively billed the city, leaving many charges unaccounted for until recently.

The council emphasized that this practice, orchestrated by former city staff, was not communicated to current members, leading to confusion when the legal firm presented the substantial bill. The council has since terminated this arrangement and requested full invoices for all work performed moving forward, ensuring transparency and accountability in the city's financial dealings.

During the meeting, council members expressed their commitment to preventing similar situations in the future. They discussed the importance of clear communication regarding financial obligations and the need for better tracking of legal expenses. The council anticipates that the city will remain under budget for legal fees for the remainder of the fiscal year, with only minor additional invoices expected.

In conclusion, the Wheeler City Council's meeting highlighted the need for improved financial oversight and communication regarding legal expenditures. The council's proactive steps aim to ensure that the city’s finances are managed more effectively, preventing the recurrence of significant outstanding payments.