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Finance committee reviews rate increase request for board legal counsel, flags relationship disclosure
Summary
The committee considered a requested hourly rate adjustment for the board's legal counsel and was informed the firm includes a partner related to a committee member; staff said the relative does no billable work for the district and the committee voted to consider the adjustment.
The Ouachita Parish Finance Committee reviewed a vendor-requested hourly rate increase for the district's legal counsel and noted a familial connection between a committee member and the law firm.
Regina Mecas told the committee the request would not normally be brought to the finance committee, but it was presented because "Mister Geiss's brother [is] a partner in the firm, although he does no billable work for our district," and staff wanted transparency. Mecas said the firm requested an updated rate after fees had not been adjusted since 2018.
Committee members confirmed no public comment cards had been submitted for the item. The committee moved, seconded and voted in favor of considering the rate adjustment; the transcript records approval with no recorded opposition.
Mecas characterized the step as committee-level transparency: she said the intent was to make the finance committee aware of the proposed change rather than immediately take a final board action. The transcript does not provide a roll-call tally or the new rate requested; staff indicated a prior review and negotiation would occur as part of normal vendor processes.
