Council authorizes city manager to hire BBK for Measure E election services, approves advance water‑waiver

The Kingsburg City Council on April 2 authorized the city manager to execute an engagement letter with law firm Best, Best & Krieger (BBK) to provide election law services related to a potential renewal of Measure E, and to sign an advance waiver addressing potential future conflicts involving water matters.

City staff said the Finance Committee previously directed staff to solicit quotes from firms specializing in election law; staff received four quotes and recommended BBK based on experience and an estimated fee of about $10,000 (assuming approximately 20 hours of director of elections time and 10 hours of partner attorney time). The scope outlined by staff includes drafting a timeline, drafting the measure, preparing the impartial analysis for the city attorney’s review, setting rebuttal deadlines, reviewing informational materials for advocacy language and coordinating with other consultants.

Staff noted BBK represents numerous clients, including entities involved in water matters that could be adverse or potentially adverse to Kingsburg in the future. BBK completed a conflict check and prepared a water‑conflict waiver for the council’s consideration; staff recommended executing the engagement letter together with the advance waiver. Councilmembers asked about the city’s prior experience with the firm; staff said BBK was not retained during the current manager’s tenure but is well known in municipal law circles.

A motion authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement with BBK, including the engagement letter and advance water waiver, passed by voice vote. Staff indicated the fee structure is hourly and subject to change depending on actual hours required. The item was the result of prior Finance Committee discussions and does not itself place a tax on the ballot; it authorizes legal services should the council proceed with a Measure E renewal process.