Council approves four-year municipal prosecution contract with Leahy Cox LLP; two councilors dissent

The Springfield City Council authorized the city manager to sign a four-year contract with Leahy Cox LLP to provide prosecution services for Springfield Municipal Court from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. The motion passed 4 yeses to 2 nos.

The city attorney's office presented the contract after conducting a request for proposals in March. Staff said Leahy Cox was the only respondent that met the minimum qualifications. The negotiated contract includes no increase in costs for the first upcoming fiscal year, 2% increases in subsequent years, and a negotiated hourly rate of $150 for additional services such as weapons 'red flag' hearings.

Councilor Bradley, Councilor Weber, Councilor Moe and Councilor Blackwell voted yes. Councilor Doyle and Councilor Stout recorded no votes. During discussion, a councilor raised prior concerns about prosecutor availability for hearings; the city attorney's office said the contract provides for coverage of additional hearings and negotiated hourly compensation for add-on services and that district attorney staffing (a separate, state-funded office) is not part of this contract.

The contract will be managed by the city attorney's office. The presentation named Mary Bridget (no last name recorded in the discussion) as a person for whom the city attorney was present. Material presented notes that the $150 hourly rate covers services not anticipated in the prior contract; staff characterized the negotiated package as a good value and offered to answer council questions.