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Stevensville council approves prosecuting attorney contract after debate over travel pay and substitutes
Summary
The council approved a contract with the town’s prosecuting attorney after debating travel reimbursement, substitute counsel and paralegal oversight; final vote was 3–2.
The Stevensville Town Council approved a contract for the town’s prosecuting attorney on Aug. 28 after a split council vote and discussion about travel reimbursement and who may serve as substitutes.
Council member Smith moved to approve the contract and Council member Bragg seconded. The council discussed two provisions in the draft contract: (1) a $45-per-hour travel/time reimbursement and (2) language that allows the contractor to subcontract or supply a substitute attorney and paralegal. Several council members said the town should retain the right to review and approve any substitute attorney or paralegal because the town will pay those costs.
At the meeting Kiki (Kiki) Smithers, who identified herself as the prosecuting attorney candidate, told the council she was open to either a mileage reimbursement or the hourly travel rate. Smithers said she had spoken with deputy county attorney Amanda Smith, who had agreed to serve as an occasional substitute attorney, and that a county paralegal, Christian Downey, was available to serve as a paralegal. Smithers said both potential substitutes had relevant experience.
A member of the public and some councilors urged replacing the $45 hourly travel allowance with a mileage reimbursement at the Montana Association of Counties recommended rate (about $0.70 per mile, as cited by a commenter). Council member Smithers said she did not object to the change.
After discussion, the council approved the contract by a 3–2 vote. Several council members asked staff to obtain CVs or other credentials for any substitute attorney and paralegal who would be assigned to town work and said the council should retain the ability to review and approve those persons because the town may be responsible for paying their fees.
Ending: The contract was approved with council direction that staff obtain additional information about identified substitutes and paralegal arrangements for the town’s records and review.
