Weston County commissioners press county attorney on private-practice conflicts, office use and staffing

County Attorney Michael faced detailed questions from the Weston County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday about how his private law practice operates alongside his role as county attorney, how county resources are kept separate, and whether the county should convert the part-time position to a full-time salaried role.

Commissioners said constituents had raised concerns that having a private firm and a county office in the same building could create perceived or actual conflicts of interest. Commissioners also asked for clearer records showing how much time the county attorney and his staff spend on county business versus private work, both for transparency and for an auditor’s review.

Michael told the board he keeps private- and county-related work physically and electronically separate. “Everything’s bought separate. I don't even — I mean the Internet's separate, the phone's separate, the paper's separate, the printer's separate. We keep everything completely separated, as far as utilizing any sort of resources,” Michael said. He added that his firm sometimes donates time to the county in specific situations such as trials.

Brooke, a member of the county attorney’s office staff, said some county work extends beyond normal office hours and that staff often handle emergencies and court-related work without charging the county. “I get calls from law enforcement ... a lot of that time is never considered for county attorney,” she said, describing after-hours calls and court coverage that are not always reflected in regular time accounting.

Commissioners pressed for an accounting method the county auditor could use. One commissioner asked for a breakdown “for our auditor and for... the public taxpayer” showing how county funds are spent and how any county-paid staff time is allocated. Michael and others acknowledged that tracking the county-versus-private time precisely is difficult for a part-time county attorney who responds to courts and emergencies at varying hours.

Several commissioners raised the prospect of making the county attorney role a full-time position. Michael noted that, by statute, salaries for some county offices are set on a four‑year cycle and said changes would have to be planned next year. Commissioners indicated they will consider the salary and structure during upcoming budget discussions.

The board and county attorney also discussed office logistics: a part‑time administrative assistant who had been paid from the county salary line was not working for the county after June 30; the office vault and meeting room arrangement; and rent arrangements for attorneys who occupy county-owned space. Michael said he pays rent to the county for his annex office days and that other previous arrangements varied by attorney and era.

Commissioners asked county attorney staff to provide clearer monthly or quarterly summaries of county work carried out by the office (redacted as needed for privacy), so commissioners and the public can see the scale and types of matters the office handles.

The discussion produced no formal vote. Commissioners said the issue will return to future budget and staffing conversations.