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University Park trustees vote to dismiss Montana & Welch as legislative counsel after heated debate
Summary
After extended public comment and trustee debate over invoices and potential conflicts, the Village of University Park board voted to immediately dismiss Montana and Welch LLC as its legislative counsel.
THE VILLAGE OF UNIVERSITY PARK — The Village of University Park Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday to dismiss Montana and Welch LLC as the village’s legislative counsel, following lengthy public remarks and an extended exchange among trustees about invoices, perceived conflicts of interest and institutional respect.
Trustee Lewis moved to authorize the immediate dismissal, with a second from Trustee Jenkins Bell; after debate the motion passed. The chair announced the motion’s passage and thanked the firm for its service.
Supporters of the firm and some residents urged caution before severing ties. Trustee Brooks defended the firm’s record and urged residents to weigh the firm’s work, contrasting what she described as a small monthly charge “$92” with larger bills elsewhere: “$92, $11,000,” she said in the meeting. Speakers opposing the firm’s continued role raised concerns that a legislative counsel representing a trustee in private matters created the appearance of a conflict and asked for clearer invoice descriptions.
Trustee Folger told the board she had reviewed the firm’s billing and said Montana and Welch had not billed the village more than about $5,000 over two-and-a-half years and that trustees use outside legislative counsel to obtain clarification on matters when they feel village attorneys do not provide the needed support. Other trustees said the decision reflected elected officials’ responsibility to the village budget and to transparency about spending and representation.
The dismissal was framed by speakers on both sides as a response to perceived personal conflicts as much as to policy. The meeting record shows several trustees and residents asked for more detailed billing descriptions before concluding whether the firm’s continued retention was fiscally justified or appropriate.
The board did not direct immediate follow-up to staff in public minutes at the time of the vote beyond the formal dismissal; the mayor and clerk stated the action and moved on to the next agenda item.
