Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident asks county to disclose developer‑funded legal fees and confirm independence of outside counsel
Summary
A speaker asked the commission to publicly release any written informed consent required by Kansas Rule of Professional Conduct 1.8 after documents showed a funding agreement that could link developer payments to outside counsel rates.
Jim Carlskin (S19) told the commission that an engagement letter with the county’s outside counsel appears to contain provisions that could create a link between developer funding and legal fees for other county matters, raising concerns about the attorney‑client relationship and independence.
Carlskin cited an engagement letter dated July 29, 2026 and a county funding agreement with an entity associated with Project Bluestem. He asked the county to "release" any written informed consent and explain how the contract protects independence. "If the county has obtained the written informed consent required by the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, please release it," he said.
County staff and some residents said transparency on who pays legal fees and whether developers influence counsel is necessary to maintain public trust. The commission heard the request but did not take immediate action to release documents during the meeting.
Source: public comment by Jim Carlskin (S19).
