The Parlier City Council voted to approve the consent calendar Thursday, a package that included a check to satisfy court-ordered sanctions related to prior outside counsel.

Council discussion identified two separate sanctions in the underlying litigation: one sanction assessed directly against the attorney and a separate sanction against the city. City officials said the sanctions payment is made to the law firm that was awarded the monetary sanction and that payment must be processed to comply with the court’s order.

During public comment, a resident asked for a detailed breakdown of attorney spending and a 10-year comparison. The resident said the city should consider whether a single, broader legal-services contract could reduce costs. “That’s a lot of money,” the resident said, referring to legal fees.

Nut graf: The payment resolves a court directive and was approved as part of the consent calendar; the council separately identified attorney spending—totaling $799,405 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025—as a major contributor to the city’s projected budget shortfall.

In the body: Council members cautioned that while the court-ordered sanction must be paid, the city retains options to seek recovery from the sanctioned attorney or pursue other legal remedies later, depending on case developments. The city attorney and mayor explained that some sanctions are payable directly to the moving party’s law firm under the court’s order and that the city may pursue collection if appropriate.

Ending: The consent calendar motion passed with all members voting in favor. Council directed staff to provide more detailed attorney-expenditure information at the July 8 budget workshop.