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Hooper council rescinds firing letter, appoints prior city attorneys as interim counsel and suspends RFP
Summary
Following concerns about the city lacking a contract with its legal counsel, the Hooper City Council voted to rescind a unilateral termination letter, name the prior attorneys interim counsel and withdraw the existing RFP so the council can collaboratively revise it.
Hooper City Council members voted on Feb. 25 to rescind a unilateral letter sent to the city’s law firm and to appoint that firm as interim legal counsel while the city revises a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services.
Council discussion about legal representation began after members raised concerns that the city had been paying attorneys without a current contract. Mayor Sherry Beam told the council she had been contacted by the Utah State Auditor’s Office, which sought documentation after receiving a complaint that the city was paying its attorneys without a contract. Beam said the city did not have a current contract and that staff had prepared an RFP; she said the RFP was posted with a March 5 deadline for proposals and that council would vote on proposals by March 20.
Several council members objected to the manner in which the city’s longstanding attorneys were notified their services would no longer be used. Council Member Wilcox said the termination "didn't time out right" and that the attorneys had provided long service. Other council members said the lack of a written contract required a correction in process.
Council Member Hill moved to rescind the unilateral termination letter dated Feb. 21, 2025, apologize to the named attorneys and make them the interim legal counsel effective immediately until the council and staff complete an RFP the council adopts. Council Member Wilcox seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. The minutes record the motion carried.
In a separate, related motion, the council rescinded the current RFP for legal services and directed staff to revise it in consultation with the council so all six council members agree on the scope and language before reposting. Council Member Hill moved the rescission and revision; Council Member Maragone seconded. That motion also passed by voice vote.
Mayor Beam said she included language in the RFP to help control legal expenses and inquiries by clarifying who may contact counsel, saying she wanted to avoid unexpected invoicing at the end of the month. Council members expressed concern that an RFP's phrasing should not make counsel function solely "at the pleasure of the mayor," and the council directed that the rewritten RFP reflect collective oversight.
Administrative notes and next steps in the meeting: mayoral staff said Madison (the city's advisor on LAA matters) was drafting an interim contract to preserve continuous legal representation until the RFP process is complete. Proposals are due March 5; council interviews and a vote on a permanent legal services contract are scheduled for March 20 unless the council sets an alternate timeline.
