The Lynn Haven City Commission voted to authorize a letter of engagement with Jackson Lewis to advise the city on a petition to form a firefighters’ bargaining unit.

The commission approved the engagement after Interim City Manager Chris Lightfoot summarized that firefighters submitted paperwork to form a union and that the city had discussed the matter with counsel. “The local union has filed a petition to form a bargaining unit,” City Attorney Myers said in explaining the need for specialized labor counsel. The proposed engagement names Ray Velasquez of Jackson Lewis as the lead attorney and sets discounted hourly rates for partners, associates and paralegals because of the county relationship.

Why it matters: the petition begins a formal labor process that can include administrative hearings and bargaining. The city attorney advised that the petition’s outcome will determine how much outside counsel is required. “It’s a very limited engagement just for this firefighter union,” Myers said.

Details and vote: the engagement is intended to provide immediate guidance on responding to the filing and on interactions with the union. The commission moved and seconded the engagement without a stated cap on fees; commissioners instructed staff to provide updates. Roll call showed unanimous approval (Commissioners Ward, Purnell, Tender, Peebles and Mayor Aaron Nelson voted yes).

Context and next steps: the city’s outside counsel for this matter, Jackson Lewis, has worked with nearby jurisdictions, and staff said a formal response to the petition is due this week. Myers told the commission she could not estimate total hours or cost because that depends on the administrative law judge’s handling of the petition; she said a cap could be added later if the commission desired and that staff would report expenditures as the matter proceeds.

Ending: Commissioners asked that periodic updates be provided in Myers’ reports. The motion passed and the commission adjourned after other business.