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Ethics committee renews outside counsel contract, reviews budget surplus and personnel action
Summary
The committee approved renewing Attorney Brent Cole’s contract at $225/hour up to $20,000 for FY26, reviewed a projected budget surplus and FY26 staff-services increase, and removed the administrator’s probationary period.
The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics voted May 30 to contract with Attorney Brent Cole for outside legal services in fiscal year 2026 at $225 per hour, up to $20,000, consistent with the existing arrangement. Chair Joyce Anderson noted Cole had provided outside legal expertise to the committee since 2001 and that succession planning would be necessary should he step down.
Skip Cook moved to renew the contract; there were no objections. Both Cook and Conner Thomas encouraged asking Cole for recommendations for potential future outside counsel. The contract motion was adopted by voice consensus with no recorded objections.
Separately, Administrator Kevin Reeve gave a budget report noting an overall projected surplus for FY 2024–2025, with staff services and outside services under budget and an overage in office supplies. He reported the FY 2025–2026 packet contains projected (not finalized) figures and anticipated a $34,000 increase in staff services.
Chair Anderson also reported the committee voted to remove Administrator Reeve’s probationary period. The committee entered executive session during the meeting to discuss matters required by statute to remain confidential and later returned to public session on a motion by Deb Fancher.
