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Board asks city attorney to recuse himself from RFP; motion keeps his professional-services agreement in place
Summary
A motion to require the city attorney to recuse from a legal-services procurement was approved after concerns about a bid conflict; the board separately voted to keep the attorney’s professional-services agreement in effect following debate about his performance and prior advice.
Ocean Springs Mayor called the Nov. meeting to order and the Board of Aldermen addressed a legal-services request for proposals after a member charged that the current city attorney had submitted a bid and had a personal financial stake in the outcome. A motion requiring the attorney to recuse himself from participation and advising the board on that RFP was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
After the attorney stepped back from participation, an alderman moved to keep the existing professional-services agreement with David Harris in effect. Supporters said Harris had been responsive to departments and placed a contractual 30‑day termination clause that protects the city if the relationship falters. Opponents recounted recent errors and questioned advice Harris gave when his contract was pending, arguing the board should award municipal legal services through a more competitive process.
The question was put to a voice vote after discussion; the motion to maintain the agreement was seconded and the board recorded the motion as carried by voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. The mayor asked the recused attorney to step aside for the portion of the discussion tied to the RFP.
The board also discussed whether any further questions about the RFP and the attorney’s participation should be considered in executive session; the mayor and the city attorney later flagged potential items best addressed in closed session.
