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Everett committee cuts city solicitor’s outside‑counsel funding amid rising legal bills
Summary
The budget committee reduced the city solicitor’s professional‑services appropriation after hearing that the solicitor’s office has relied heavily on outside counsel this fiscal year; the solicitor said outside counsel usage rose because the department is down staff.
The City Solicitor’s recommended FY26 budget included $200,000 for professional services; the budget committee voted to reduce that amount to 0 for the solicitor’s office during the May 21 hearing, citing concerns about outside‑counsel spending tied to a number of active matters.
City Solicitor Colleen Mejia told the committee her office has relied on outside firms such as KP Law and others because staffing has fallen from four attorneys to two. Mejia said KP Law invoices are already above $100,000 for the fiscal year and that outstanding purchase orders total roughly $106,000 as of the most recent report; she said she expects to seek additional funding if necessary.
Counselors expressed concern about losing sight of outside‑counsel retainers and asked for more transparency. Solicitor Mejia said state law and the city’s administrative code authorize the solicitor to hire outside counsel with the mayor’s approval and an appropriation; she said practice has been to allow the solicitor to operate within the funded line items, and that supplemental appropriations can be sought when needed.
Committee members ultimately voted to reduce the professional services line item for the solicitor’s office; Mayor DeMaria and several councilors urged caution about deep cuts because the city faces litigation and other legal needs that typically draw on outside counsel.
Why it matters: The solicitor’s office is the city’s legal adviser and manages litigation risk. Outside counsel spending reflects unresolved legal matters and a reduction could delay legal work or prompt repeated supplemental appropriation requests.
What was decided: Committee votes cut the solicitor’s professional‑services line. Solicitor Mejia said she will return with requests if outside counsel costs exceed the amended appropriations.
What to watch: Continued invoices from outside counsel, supplemental appropriation requests, and whether the mayor or council restores funding as cases progress.
Sources: Colleen Mejia, City Solicitor; roll‑call votes at Everett budget committee hearing, May 21, 2025.
