Council approves prosecuting attorney contract after discussion on travel pay, substitutes and paralegal oversight

The Stevensville Town Council approved a prosecuting attorney contract after receiving public comments requesting additional protections around substitutes and paralegal selection. At the Aug. 28 meeting the council moved the contract up on the agenda and voted to approve it. The contract as presented included a $45 hourly travel rate; several commenters suggested instead using the Montana Association of Counties' recommended mileage reimbursement of $0.70 per mile. Public comment requested that the town reserve the right to review the identities and qualifications of any substitute attorneys or paralegals that the contractor proposes to use if the town will be responsible for paying them. A speaker said, "we have the right to review who she contacts to be our paralegal if we are responsible for paying them," and suggested collecting CVs for any substitutes. The prospective prosecutor, who identified herself as Kiki Smithers, told the council she had spoken with Deputy County Attorney Amanda Smith about being a fill-in and had identified Christian Downey, a county paralegal, as someone who could serve as her paralegal. Smithers said she was "happy to do either" a travel rate or mileage and that the substitute attorney she discussed (Amanda Smith) had roughly three-and-a-half years' experience. Decision: After discussion and public comment, the council approved the contract on a motion. The transcript indicates council members voted in favor; the meeting record shows subsequent discussion about redrafting travel reimbursement language and adding language about town review of substitutes and paralegal staffing would be considered when finalizing contract administration. Next steps: Public commenters asked the council to obtain CVs for substitutes and paralegals and to clarify contract language that allows the contractor to use substitutes at the town's expense. The transcript does not show a formal amendment to the contract language during the Aug. 28 meeting.