Iowa City Police Review Board OKs three-year extension for board counsel, approves rate increase

The Iowa City Police Review Board voted to renew the board’s legal counsel contract for three years and to increase the attorney’s hourly rate from $200 to about $250, the board decided during its meeting. The motion to extend and raise the rate passed on a roll-call vote.

Board members were told the attorney’s billing can include charges for phone calls, reviewing meeting packets and for time spent at meetings. A member noted several invoice items “are charges for that” that board members typically do not see in packet summaries and urged colleagues to be aware of those routine fees.

The staff representative said the hourly rate had not changed since 2014 and that the proposed increase reflects a 25% rise in fees. Members asked whether the city budget could absorb the change; staff reported the increase had been reviewed and was not expected to create a budget shortfall.

Members also discussed procurement timing: if the board approves a three-year extension now, the board will need to solicit proposals or otherwise re-open procurement at the end of that term. A board member who supported the renewal said she felt comfortable voting “yes” despite having limited personal experience with the role because staff had flagged there were no immediate budget concerns.

Following the vote, one member remarked, “You’re stuck with us for another 3 years.” The board returned to other agenda items after the vote.

The board’s action took place after a public discussion of how the contract is billed and how often invoice items appear. The board did not identify a successor counsel; staff noted that another attorney from the same firm could apply when the position is re-solicited at the end of the extension.