Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve 3% increase to standard attorney reimbursement rate after split vote
Summary
After a debate over vendor pay practices and itemized billing, the LaPorte County Board approved a 3% increase to its standard attorney reimbursement rate on a 2-1 vote; one commissioner urged larger staged increases and clearer itemized billing for flat contracts.
LaPorte County commissioners voted 2-1 on March 4 to raise the county's standard attorney reimbursement rate by 3 percent, moving the standard from $175 an hour to approximately $182.50.
Commissioner Joe Haney moved for the increase, saying modest adjustments were appropriate given market pressures. "I don't think a 3% increase, going up to $182.50 I think, something like that," Haney said during debate. Commissioner Connie Gramarossa opposed the motion and argued the county should pursue staged $25 increases every few years rather than percentage raises tied to employee cost-of-living adjustments. Gramarossa also called for itemized billing from attorneys and said a previously referenced $75,000 flat-fee contract should be formally approved in a public meeting with itemized detail.
President Steve Holifield seconded Haney's motion after Gramarossa declined to do so; the motion carried 2-1 with Gramarossa recorded as the lone no vote. The board did not adopt a formal countywide schedule of staged increases or change the treatment of flat-fee contracts at this meeting; Gramarossa’s request for itemized billing and formal approval of any flat annual contract was left as a point for further administrative follow-up.
Why it matters: Commissioners said their low prevailing rates (previously $150 for many years, raised to $175 roughly two years ago) make it difficult to attract outside counsel and that modest increases can help retain legal services the county relies on. Opponents argued for clearer vendor billing practices and preferred multi-year, step increases rather than a percentage tied to employee raises.
Next steps: The 3% reimbursement increase takes effect immediately for invoicing covered by the county's standard reimbursement schedule. The board asked county staff to prepare follow-up details on itemized billing requirements and to place any flat-fee contract approvals on a future agenda.
