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Coats commissioners approve August attorney bill amid concerns about near‑exhausted budget
Summary
Board approved payment of the town attorney's August bill while Mayor Pro Tem Marc Powell warned "about 80% of attorney fees for the year had already been used." Finance staff said a budget amendment may be necessary depending on future bills.
The Town of Coats Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 11 to pay the August legal bill, even as several members raised concerns about the year-to-date attorney-fees budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Marc Powell expressed concern that "about 80% of attorney fees for the year had already been used." Town Manager Barbara Hollerand said she has engaged the town attorney for items that require legal research and extra preparation for public hearings; Finance Director Connie Lassiter said a budget amendment could be required depending on the next billing cycle.
Town Attorney Alton Bain told the board he believes his services have historically been underutilized by the town and that he reduced his hourly rate for the town; Hollerand and Lassiter said they will review potential budget adjustments before the next meeting.
The board approved payment of the bill by unanimous vote. Commissioners discussed possibly consulting the League of Municipalities on routine questions to reduce legal expenditure when issues are not Coats-specific.
