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Rowlett council keeps contract city attorney after review; in‑house model deemed too costly
Summary
After an executive session the council announced it will continue its relationship with its contract city attorney, citing an estimated $1,000,000 annual cost for a dedicated in‑house attorney versus roughly $300,000 in projected legal expenses this year under the current model.
The Rowlett City Council announced after closed session that it will continue to contract with its current city attorney, Victoria, following a review of recent concerns about past decisions and communications.
"The city council is determined to continue our working relationship with Victoria as our city attorney," the mayor said in a public statement after the executive session. Council members said the review clarified concerns raised by former and current council members and reaffirmed expectations about transparent, thorough legal advice.
Council members also discussed the option of hiring a dedicated in‑house city attorney. Staff presented an estimate that an in‑house model would cost approximately $1,000,000 annually when salaries, benefits, additional staff, software, office space and other operational costs are included. By contrast, staff said the city is on track to spend about $300,000 in legal expenses this year under the current outsourced/contract model. Council concluded the in‑house model is not justified at this time given Rowlett’s size and current legal spending.
The council emphasized its goals of stability, accountability and rebuilding public trust. No formal personnel action was reported; the council recorded no votes resulting from the executive session items.
