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Council approves consent agenda after questions on legal fees and retroactive pay for public safety
Summary
Council approved the consent agenda including payroll vouchers and claim vouchers after discussion of payments to Garrison Law Offices, a year-long opioid public-service announcement contract, and retroactive pay for firefighters and paramedics; staff said a forensic audit RFP for 2024 has been issued to clean up prior allocations.
Sunnyside City Council approved its consent agenda Nov. 10 after councilors questioned several line items, including payments to an outside law firm and large payroll voucher amounts related to retroactive pay for public safety personnel.
Staff summarized the consent items: payroll vouchers #14349–14601 and wire transfers totaling $666,498.13 for the period ending Nov. 10, 2025, and claim vouchers #14267–14401 and wire transfers totaling $547,312.08 for the period ending Nov. 6, 2025. Councilor Ripley asked about payments to Garrison Law Offices (some charges dating to 2021) and about a payment schedule to a radio station for an anti-opioid campaign; staff said the radio contract was a year‑long commitment tied to an opioid settlement and is being paid in installments.
Councilor Hancock asked for explanation of large payroll voucher amounts for the fire department. Staff explained the sums reflected retroactive contract pay from 2024 and incentives: retro pay included a 4.5% adjustment for 2024 and a 4% adjustment for 2025, and paramedics received a $3,000 lump-sum payment rather than pro-rating for individual certifications. The fire chief noted mobilization costs are state‑reimbursed.
Council accepted the explanations and approved the consent agenda. Separately, finance staff said they are preparing an RFP for a third‑party forensic audit of 2024 accounting and are working to correct allocation issues discovered during budget preparation.
