Price City Council discusses second addendum to city attorney contract, raises RFP and COLA concerns

Price City Council members discussed a proposed second addendum to the city attorney services agreement at a March 25 workshop, raising questions about fees, budget controls and procurement options.

Councilmembers noted that other municipalities pay different fee structures for outside attorneys and discussed the fiscal impact on the city budget. They debated whether, if the contract were to be redone, the city should issue a request for proposals to solicit competing bids rather than extending the current arrangement without competitive bidding. Councilmembers also emphasized a need to clarify contract language so any addendum would not automatically increase fees, and some members voiced concern about applying a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the contract.

The workshop record does not include figures for fees paid by other municipalities or specific proposed dollar amounts for the Price contract; those numbers were not specified during the discussion. The Administrative Director and staff were present on the attendance list but the transcript does not record a formal staff direction or a motion to pursue an RFP or to adopt any contract amendment at this meeting.

The meeting opened at 4:30 p.m. with Mayor Terry Willis and Councilmembers Richardson, Root, Seeley and Urbanik present; Councilmember Miller and Administrative Director Nick Tatton were listed as excused. The workshop adjourned at 5:17 p.m., and the minutes are signed by Mayor Terry Willis and City Recorder Jaci Adams.

The council did not record a formal vote or adopt a directive in the minutes included in the transcript. Further action — such as issuing an RFP, drafting a clarified addendum, or approving any COLA provision — would require a subsequent agenda item or formal motion in a later meeting.