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Council authorizes $50,000 transfer to pay legal services tied to investigation; some members question cost
Summary
Council approved a $50,000 transfer from its budget to pay Brown Nemiroff LLC for work related to an investigation, prompting questions from several members about cumulative costs and next steps.
Allentown City Council voted to transfer $50,000 within the council budget to pay legal invoices from Brown Nemiroff LLC related to an ongoing investigation. Council discussed the cumulative cost of the council's legal and investigative work during the vote.
Councilmembers pressed for detail on how earlier allowances were spent and how much future costs might be. Councilmember Henricks noted the initial $20,000 allowance approved earlier; Councilmember Zukul and others asked for clearer accounting of pre-litigation and post-litigation billing. City finance staff (Controller Michael Glaser) described totals to date as "over $65,000" when combining investigator and legal bills, and said some additional smaller bills may arrive. Glaser said some invoices related to post-litigation counsel work had not yet been provided but that the transfer would ensure the firm is paid for work already performed.
Councilmember Gerlach said she would vote yes because the firm "did work" and needs to be paid even though some members questioned shifting further funds while the council considers alternative investigatory routes.
The resolution passed on a roll-call vote recorded as seven ayes and no nays.
Ending: Councilmembers requested billing detail be provided to the dais for follow-up and said committee discussion of investigative options would continue.
