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Council approves contract with city prosecutor and directs staff to explore county services
Summary
Council authorized a professional services contract with Lance Fitzgerald for prosecuting services and unanimously directed city staff to open talks with the county about possibly consolidating prosecuting services in the future.
Goldendale’s council approved a one-year professional services agreement for prosecuting attorney services and at the same meeting unanimously instructed staff to begin discussions with the county about combining prosecutorial services.
Staff presented a contract for Lance Fitzgerald to provide prosecuting attorney services for the period Jan. 1–Dec. 31, with the contract text showing a monthly compensation figure that prompted questions about the exact drafting. Council members asked about workload and value: the police department reported roughly 153 arrests last year, and staff said the contract functions like a retainer covering court processing, advice to officers and availability for legal questions.
Citing potential cost savings and changing county staffing, a council member moved and the council approved assigning staff to contact the county to explore a collaborative arrangement for prosecuting services. That motion passed unanimously.
Separately, council approved a motion authorizing the mayor to execute the contract with Fitzgerald (with clarifying edits to the contract language). Councilors discussed termination provisions and an option to terminate after notice if a county arrangement is reached.
What’s next: City staff will contact county officials to explore options; the Fitzgerald contract is authorized for the calendar year with termination language included in case a combined county arrangement is negotiated.
