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Coppell authorizes Holland & Knight to appeal state ruling in case against Texas comptroller
Summary
Council authorized the city’s outside counsel to file an appeal in the city’s litigation with the Texas comptroller over a contested rule; council cited successful rulings on most issues and approved an appeal to clarify a remaining point.
After an executive session, the Coppell City Council voted to authorize the law firm Holland & Knight to file an appeal in the city’s case against Glenn Hager, Texas Comptroller, over the application or interpretation of a state rule (referred to in the transcript as rule 3.334). The motion was moved from the dais and seconded; the council voted unanimously to proceed with the appeal.
Council discussion clarified the rationale: the city prevailed on most claims at trial but the city’s counsel and outside appellate counsel recommended an appeal to obtain appellate guidance on one remaining matter the trial court could have clarified differently. The city attorney explained the court “entered basically almost on all fours every issue that we brought before her and tried and were successful on. There was one last thing we think she could have done a better job clarifying. And it's that little one thing that we need to get some instruction on from the Court of Appeals.”
Council instructed outside counsel (identified in discussion as Mr. Harris of Holland & Knight) to file the appeal to protect the city’s position. Council Member Walker moved to approve and the motion passed 5–0 (Walker, Carroll, Nevills, Prem Kumar, Matthew Hill in favor). The council recorded no further action at the meeting; the appeal will proceed through the courts and any future litigation costs or settlements will be reported in accordance with city procedures.
