Douglas County approves $400,000 blanket purchase order for legal services after public criticism

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to waive the county purchasing policy and authorize a blanket purchase order for legal services for 2025 not to exceed $400,000.

The measure, approved by voice vote, followed staff remarks that the county counselor position is a political appointment made under county code and therefore not subject to competitive bidding after the appointment. The vote authorized staff to issue the purchase order and to proceed with the county's contracted legal services for the year.

County staff member Sarah Plinske said the item had been discussed previously after the county counselor changed firms and that "the appointment of the counselor is by county code up to the county commission. It is that is the decision made by code, so it is not put up to bid from that perspective." Commissioners said they weighed the benefit of continuity and the cost implications of hiring a full‑time staff attorney versus contracting legal services.

Commissioner Jean Dorsey said the hourly rate charged by the firm had not changed in about a decade and noted the firm provides multiple attorneys, not a single individual. "If you go out for bid, my guess is the rate per hour is gonna go up," Dorsey said.

A member of the public who identified himself as Dr. Justin Spies challenged the county's use of the political‑appointment exemption and disputed claims that the contracted counselor represents the county on all litigation. Spies said he had filed records requests and planned legal action if the county did not release unedited meeting recordings. "I'm suing the county commission here," Spies said during public comment, asserting outside attorneys — not the contracted counselor — had represented the county in some lawsuits.

Another resident criticized the exemption from competitive bidding as a transparency problem and asked whether the arrangement represented fair market value. The resident asked for post‑contract information on settled cases the firm had handled and questioned who signs the agreement; the resident noted the contract in the packet was signed by Sarah Plinske.

Commissioners responded that some litigation costs are covered by the county's liability insurer and that outside counsel may appear on certain matters. A commissioner also noted the county's 2025 budget for legal services is $550,000 and that the Bullock law firm contract was capped at $400,000 for the year. "It may seem like a lot of money, but all you gotta do is win 1 or 2 tax cases with a big box store, and you've more than paid for the money," one commissioner said.

The board's motion to waive the purchasing policy and issue the blanket purchase order was moved by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Kelly, and approved by voice vote.

The purchase order covers county legal services for 2025; the county did not provide a detailed breakdown of hourly rates or the number of hours covered within the $400,000 cap during the meeting.