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Okanogan County commissioners debate outside-counsel rate increase and reliance on firm
Summary
County leaders discussed a proposed rate increase from outside counsel, weighed options to negotiate or reduce use, and revisited whether to hire in-house attorneys for specialized matters.
Okanogan County commissioners and staff reviewed a proposed rate increase submitted by outside counsel and discussed options to hold rates, reduce use of the firm or hire in-house attorneys.
The county received a rate schedule from outside counsel in mid-January showing increases for several staff roles the county uses frequently. Commissioners and staff said litigation accounts for the majority of legal spending and that outsourcing to firms with multiple specialists remains the county’s primary approach for matters that exceed in‑house capacity.
The discussion centered on three paths: ask the firm to keep current rates for the county because of the long relationship; sharply reduce reliance on the firm and limit the kinds of work sent out; or consider recruiting one or two in‑house attorneys with specialized expertise. Commissioners noted that finding a single in‑house attorney who could handle the range of land use, water and specialized litigation handled by outside counsel would be difficult.
Staff provided examples from the proposed schedule during the discussion, including line items that the county recorded as increases for frequently used contract roles. Commissioners asked that staff ask the firm to reconsider or hold proposed increases and to return with a breakdown of last year’s legal spending and the share used for litigation.
County staff directed the county administrator or designated staff member to contact outside counsel to try to negotiate the request; commissioners did not adopt a formal motion at the meeting. Commissioners instructed planning and county staff to continue working with legal counsel on day‑to‑day planning matters and to try to minimize outside counsel use where feasible pending the outcome of negotiations.
Why it matters: legal services compose a sizable and variable portion of the county budget, particularly while several litigation matters remain active. Commissioners and staff said preserving access to specialized expertise is a priority while also trying to limit cost increases.
What’s next: staff will attempt to negotiate with outside counsel and produce a spending breakdown and proposal for reducing outside counsel use, and return to the board with recommendations.
