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Payson council discusses exploring in-house attorney; staff cites cost and staffing tradeoffs
Summary
Council members asked staff to agendize consideration of hiring an in-house attorney. Staff presented peer-city salary midpoints (about $187,788) and recommended keeping prosecution services contracted to Pierce Coleman, which is budgeted separately.
During the May 20 special meeting, a council member asked staff to place for a future agenda a discussion about hiring an in-house town attorney. The council member said, "I would like to recommend that we have an agenda item on having an in house attorney," asking for a clear presentation of pros and cons.
Town staff said they had researched comparable cities and reported a midpoint salary figure for an in-house attorney of roughly $187,788, noting that an in-house hire would likely require additional legal staff and dedicated workspace. The Town Manager cautioned that keeping prosecution with the contracted firm Pierce Coleman would be prudent because prosecution duties and courtroom experience often differ from civil-town counsel responsibilities.
Staff told council Pierce Coleman's civil services were budgeted at about $367,000 per year and said prosecution services had been budgeted separately (the firm had charged roughly $130,000 last year with a proposed increase to $180,000). Staff emphasized the advantage of the contracted firm's broad bench of attorneys for property, civil and election matters, while noting the potential benefits of an in-house lawyer who would be more embedded in the community.
Council members agreed the topic should be agendized for future discussion; no formal action to hire staff or change contracts was taken at the special meeting.
