County renews contract attorney and auditing agreement amid broader operational review
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Summary
The board approved a renewed professional services agreement with contract attorney William K. Sargent and a multi‑year agreement with SingerLewak LLP for auditing services while staff implement recommendations from a departmental operational assessment of legal services.
The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners approved two professional services agreements on June 25: a renewal with contract attorney William K. Sargent for legal services and a professional services agreement with SingerLewak LLP for auditing services.
Rachel Hagerty, chief administrative officer, said county leadership commissioned an operational assessment of central services—beginning with legal services—after adopting the county’s strategic plan in 2024. The assessment recommended changes to how the county obtains legal advice; staff are implementing a phased approach and the renewal of Mr. Sargent’s contract is the first component because his contract was due to expire at the end of the month. Sargent spoke briefly and indicated he would assist with the transition work.
Treasurer Sean Blanchard presented the auditing agreement. Blanchard noted the county has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recognition for 36 years and praised SingerLewak’s long relationship with the county. He said auditors are in short supply regionally and that SingerLewak has been successful in rotating teams to provide audit scrutiny; the board approved the auditing services agreement and the county will plan for an RFP next year due to contract threshold considerations.
Both motions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Commissioners thanked long‑serving contract counsel for his service and emphasized that the legal services changes are part of a planned, phased implementation based on the assessment.