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Town attorney resigns; council rejects interim hire and schedules special meeting
Summary
Town Attorney Shepherd announced his resignation at the April 21 Eatonville Town Council meeting and offered a transition; the council considered but failed to appoint Greg Jackson as interim town attorney (2–3) and set a special meeting to address interim legal coverage.
Town Attorney Shepherd announced his resignation at the start of the council’s discussion of legal representation on April 21, saying he would "be stepping away from my role as town attorney effective tonight" and offering to assist with a professional, orderly transition. The council then debated who should provide legal coverage while litigation and grant reviews proceed.
Shepherd told the council the court had denied an emergency injunction request in a pending case and that the underlying petition remained active, and he said he would continue to help with transition matters as needed. "All you have to do is instruct the lawyer who filed it to dismiss it," he said, explaining that the council controls litigation strategy.
Councilwoman Randolph moved to ask Shepherd to stay and collaborate for 30 days so an incoming counsel could be brought up to speed; the motion failed for lack of a second. Council members raised procedural and conflict-of-interest concerns about replacing counsel while a 20‑day response window to the lawsuit was still open.
The council later considered Resolution 2026-27 to hire Greg Jackson as interim general town attorney. Jackson addressed conflict questions at the podium, telling the council that "the persons who have the conflict can waive the conflict" and that, in his view, the CRA and town are separate legal entities. After discussion, the council took a roll-call vote: Councilman Mack—Aye; Councilwoman Jordan—Nay; Councilwoman Randolph—Aye; Vice Mayor Thomas—Nay; Mayor Crittenden—Nay. The motion failed, 2–3.
After the failed vote the mayor and CAO Daniels said the town must ensure continuous legal coverage for decisions that cannot lawfully proceed without counsel. The mayor announced a special council meeting to consider interim or emergency hiring and requested at least 72 hours for members to review options; he said he had executive authority to make an emergency hire if necessary. The council scheduled a special meeting for Friday to consider the matter further.
Why it matters: The town faces active litigation and grant- and contract-review workloads that council members and commentators said require continuity of legal advice. Residents and speakers at the meeting warned that changing counsel mid‑case could leave the town exposed during narrow court deadlines, and several council members emphasized the need to avoid conflicts of interest.
What’s next: The council set a special meeting for Friday to consider interim legal coverage; Shepherd offered to collaborate for a transition period if asked. The failed vote means the council must choose another path to secure legal representation before taking further legally significant actions.
Quotation highlights: Attorney Shepherd: "I will be stepping away from my role as town attorney effective tonight." Greg Jackson: "The persons who have the conflict can waive the conflict." Public commenter: "When public trust is broken, there's a problem in government."
