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Caldwell city attorney outlines new in‑house legal team, paralegal hire and request for an additional staff attorney
Summary
City Attorney Oscar described office staffing gains since February, welcomed a paralegal hire and asked council to consider one additional staff attorney to expand capacity and reduce reliance on contract counsel.
Oscar (the city attorney) updated the council on the newly established in-house legal office, describing hires and early work since he joined the city in February.
Oscar said the office added Jackie Childs as a paralegal in April; Childs brings nearly 20 years’ experience from the Canyon County prosecutor’s office and has helped the office inventory projects and address a backlog. He also introduced Justin (last name not provided), an employee with experience at the Association of Idaho Cities, who is assisting across city departments.
The city attorney said the office is completing file-management, workflows and an initial project inventory and that staff now handle a growing list of assignments. He asked council to consider one additional staff attorney to increase capacity, shorten response times and broaden in-house legal expertise. Oscar said the office will continue to use contract attorneys when necessary for specialized matters and will seek a case-management system in future years to manage requests and track documents.
Oscar described a temporary relocation plan tied to upcoming office construction: he said staff will operate while some construction occurs at the city office space and that he will remain reachable during those moves.
Ending — Council members praised the office reorganization and the hires. Oscar said the office will return with further requests and that training and file-management improvements are ongoing.
