Bristow council votes against issuing RFP for city attorney after tense exchange

The Bristow City Council voted 4-2 on April 6 to decline issuing a request for proposals for city attorney services after City Attorney Beth Anne Childs detailed ongoing litigation and urged the city to solicit bids. Councilmembers Joe Church, Kevin Deshazo, Judd Johns and Jeff Roberts voted to decline; Heather Green and Frank Groom opposed the motion.

Childs told the council that a federal lawsuit had been filed against her law firm and the city related to a traffic-ticket matter and that the plaintiff has until June 29 to correct a procedural filing. She said she has "filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit" and recommended putting out an RFP to ensure the city has competitive options for legal services. In response, Councilmember Johns said he declined to submit an RFP and Roberts defended Childs, saying, "you are the best." Councilmember Deshazo pressed questions about whether she intended to remain if the council pursued bids; Childs said, "you can't hold me."

The vote follows a broader exchange in which members debated whether soliciting proposals would help the city or be disruptive. The motion to decline was made by Johns and seconded by Roberts and passed by roll call. The council record shows no further action on the attorney contract at this meeting; the item may reappear on a future agenda if members choose to revisit the matter.