County approves $125,000 change order for outside counsel in Williamson v. Sheriff litigation

The Rules Committee confirmed a change order that increases the professional services agreement with Russell and Anders LPA by $125,000, bringing the contract ceiling to $250,000 for continued representation of Summit County in the litigation captioned Antonio Williamson v. Sheriff Candy Fothery et al.

Brian Harnack, director of law for the executive, told the committee the change order is intended to cover legal expenses for the remainder of the litigation, which has finished discovery and is entering motions for summary judgment and potentially trial. “At this point, we are done with discovery. We're moving into motion for summary judgment phase and trial if necessary,” Harnack said. He said the change order is requested to avoid returning later for another increase.

Councilmember Joe moved the change order and the committee adopted the motion; the transcript records the motion as carried. The change order represents a cumulative 100% increase to the professional services agreement, raising the total not to exceed amount to $250,000.

The change order was introduced and approved as emergency legislation; Harnack said the funds were requested to cover anticipated remaining litigation costs through the current phase of the case.