Pueblo West directors discussed how to handle the general counsel’s performance review and opened a broader review of legal expenses and virtual-attendance options for outside counsel.

Several directors argued the evaluation of general counsel is an employee matter best handled in executive session, citing personnel confidentiality. At least one director said she had given the counsel a high rating; others stressed the review should be accompanied by conversation and an opportunity for counsel to respond. No public performance evaluation was scheduled; staff said they would prepare materials so the board could discuss the review with the general counsel and that the performance review would likely proceed in executive session.

Directors and staff also discussed legal spending data. District staff said annual legal costs for 2024 totaled about $320,000 and that roughly $101,000 of that total was attributable to services for the board; travel and mileage for counsel’s attendance at board meetings are about $25,000 per year. Staff described the district’s existing practice of regular weekly access to counsel for departments—referred to as “Tuesdays with Carl”—and said many department questions are channeled then, while urgent matters are billed as they arise.

The board discussed options to reduce expenses, including more virtual attendance by counsel for some meetings and a larger review of whether an in-house counsel model, a hybrid approach, or contract management changes could lower costs. Staff said counsel favored transparency but also appreciated in-person meetings; staff also noted that counsel brings specialized public-utility experience that might be costly to replicate in-house without additional support staff.

The board instructed staff to include legal-costs, virtual-attendance options and a proposed guidance document on the general counsel’s role in a larger strategic discussion with the incoming board; the directors did not make any immediate contractual changes.