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Council raises concerns about $43,000 legal bill; requests invoice review
Summary
Council members questioned a single-month attorney bill of about $43,000 and requested access to invoices and a future agenda item to review legal billing and council-directed work by the city attorney's office.
Several council members at the March 18 Ione City Council meeting questioned a single-month city attorney bill that staff identified as roughly $43,000 and sought greater transparency about legal invoices and how council members individually direct work to the city attorney.
One council member said $43,000 in a single month for attorney fees was "unbelievable" and requested detailed invoices and clarification of which tasks were covered by the monthly retainer versus hourly charges. Council members discussed whether individual council member requests to the city attorney should be limited to control costs.
City staff and counsel responded that invoices are available for review but that certain invoice details may require redaction before public distribution. Staff suggested council members could review invoices at city hall, and one staff member said they could also provide invoices to the city manager when submitted for payment so council members could review them as part of budget oversight.
Council asked that the matter be placed on a future agenda so the council can consider procedures for invoice review, limits on council-initiated legal work, and whether some legal tasks should be handled by staff rather than outside counsel. No formal action was taken at the March 18 meeting; council members requested follow-up and a dedicated discussion item.
