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Tuscarawas County hires Black McCuskey for labor-relations work as Krugliak attorney retires
Summary
The Board approved an engagement letter with Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, L.P.A. to provide labor-relations legal services after Attorney Leslie Kuntz of Krugliak announced retirement; the motion passed unanimously on March 11.
The Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners voted March 11 to approve an engagement letter and standard terms of engagement with the law firm Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, L.P.A. to provide labor-relations legal services for the county.
County Administrator Kris Lowdermilk told the board that Attorney Leslie Kuntz of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty is retiring and that Krugliak is not retaining counsel for these services. "Brian Mertes from Black McCuskey, who is an advisor to our SHERM Chapter, will be taking on this role," Lowdermilk said during the discussion.
The approved contract outlines the consultant scope — legal services on behalf of the commissioners — payment under an attached fee schedule, and termination provisions allowing either party to end the agreement with 30 days' written notice. The consultant must submit signed invoices to the county administrator for review and processing.
The motion to approve the engagement letter was moved by Commissioner Mitch Pace, seconded by Commissioner Greg Ress, and recorded as unanimous: Kristin Zemis, yes; Greg Ress, yes; Mitch Pace, yes.
The agreement includes standard indemnification language, clarifies that consultant employees are not county employees for benefits purposes, and will commence work as soon as possible under the scope of services attached to the contract. The board did not specify funding source in the meeting record; the contract requires invoices be routed to the County Administrator for approval.
