Tampa, Florida: City's legal expenses soar

[forum_admin]

The city proposes to spend $170,000 in legal expenses this upcoming year - more than four times the amount spent in the 2006-07 budget year.

That's not the highest jump in recent years, however.

The budgeted amount for the 2007/08 legal expenses was $45,000. In actuality, more than $226,000 was spent - almost six times the amount budgeted the year prior.

The rise in the budget coincides with the city contracting with the Hogan Law Firm, following the resignation of the city attorney David LaCroix in 2007.

The Hogan Law Firm was contracted in October 2007 for a $2,500 monthly retainer and 14 hours of work. Work done over that amount would be billed at $185 per hour, to be charged in a 10th of an hour increments, or six minutes.

City leaders say they are aware of the spikes in legal expenses but it is money well-spent.

The city is suing in court for more than $400,000 in bonds to be returned.

The city manager and attorneys have outlined 15 projects and goals that they want to accomplish in the coming year. These include revising land development code and revamping personnel policies.