Ashland staff disclose roughly $171,000 in outside legal fees tied to conference-center work

During consent-agenda discussion on Dec. 11, city staff and commissioners addressed a recently received outside legal invoice related to the conference-center project.

Staff reported that a second outside legal bill totaled $171,004.43. Staff provided a calendar-year breakdown of legal fees and explained the invoice covered research and negotiations related to the conference center, including contract and bond-timing work. One staff speaker said the previous management/administration had incurred ongoing attorney interaction, and that the invoice itemized time and meetings with prior city managers and counsel.

Finance staff stated that utility fund money could not be used to pay for the conference center. The finance department indicated a budget adjustment would be required and that the city was financially obligated to pay the outside counsel invoices for services rendered. Commissioners discussed the need for clarification on who requested certain research and the amount of prior management involvement; staff said record-keeping showed itemized time and tasks.

Commissioners accepted the explanation and noted that a budget amendment will be required to address the unanticipated expense. No separate vote on the invoice itself was recorded on the Dec. 11 consent agenda; staff said payments and previous disbursements had been partially made and that additional accounting steps would be taken.