Pasco council rescinds termination; extends Kerr Ferguson Law through September 2025

The Pasco City Council on Feb. 24 voted unanimously to direct the city manager to accept rescission of the notice of termination previously received from Kerr Ferguson Law PLLC, keeping the firm as the city's legal services provider through the contract's existing September 2025 term.

Interim City Manager Joe Zabel had presented two options: continue the current agreement with Kerr Ferguson Law, or allow the termination to stand and attempt to recruit an in‑house city attorney. Zabel told council that recruiting during the late fall and winter months is typically slow and that a realistic recruitment start would likely be January, with a selection taking roughly four months — putting a new hire’s start date into mid‑2026. Because of that timeline, Zabel recommended continuing the existing agreement through September 2025 so the city would not face a gap in legal services.

Mayor Pro Tem Milne made the motion to accept the rescission; Council Member Blaisdell seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote. No council members voted against the motion.

Kurt Ferguson, a representative of Kerr Ferguson Law, addressed the council briefly after the vote and expressed appreciation for the continued relationship. Zabel and council members praised the firm’s institutional knowledge and said they look forward to continued service while the city determines its long‑term approach to legal services.

Zabel reiterated that a recently announced new city manager will be focused on the city’s complex budget when arriving in July or August, and that staffing bandwidth argues for extending the current contract through September 2025 while the city continues planning around recruitment or other options.

The special meeting that produced the vote adjourned at about 9:30 p.m.; council then proceeded into its regular workshop.