The Aurora City Council meeting on September 8, 2025, spotlighted a critical discussion on the city's legal counsel capabilities, particularly regarding union negotiations. The council's current legal structure lacks in-house expertise for these negotiations, with only one member expressing limited experience and confidence in handling such matters.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the city is considering hiring a specialized attorney to manage labor negotiations and other human resources-related legal issues. This move aims to reduce reliance on outside counsel for non-litigation employment law matters, which have been a significant expense for the city. Chief Financial Officer Stacy Peterson highlighted that the city spent approximately $228,000 on legal fees in 2023, with projections for 2024 reaching around $255,000.

The discussion underscored the importance of having skilled legal representation for complex HR issues, including benefits and discrimination claims, while clarifying that litigation would still be managed by outside counsel. The council voted on the proposal, with a majority supporting the hiring of in-house legal counsel, indicating a shift towards more efficient management of employment law matters.

This decision is expected to streamline legal processes within the city and potentially save costs in the long run, as the council aims to enhance its legal framework to better serve the community's needs.