2/13/2008 1:06:00 AM Jerome ponders legal fees Mayor wants fire department to pay costs associated with Haunted Hamburger case
So far this year, the Town of Jerome has spent approximately $72,000 for legal services. More than $20,000 of that went to settle a civil lawsuit against the town by Eric Jurisin, owner of the Haunted Hamburger. A criminal citation against Jurisin was included in the settlement.
Attorneys' fees are eating Jerome's budget, and the town council wants the fire department to pick up the tab for recent legal expenses of settling a civil lawsuit.
A report by Town Manager Brenda Man-Fletcher stated that Jerome spent $83,813 in fiscal year 2006-07 in legal costs. That money went to the town's current law firm of Curtis Goodwin, and to its former law firm of Gordon & Gordon. Also in the mix are the town's prosecutor Kenton Jones and the firm of Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre, specialists in zoning laws.
So far this year, the town has spent approximately $72,000 for legal services. More than $20,000 of that went to settle a civil lawsuit against the town by Eric Jurisin, owner of the Haunted Hamburger. A criminal citation against Jurisin was included in the settlement.
During a special council meeting Friday evening, Mayor Bob Bouwman suggested using a line item of $25,000 in the fire department's budget to cover legal expenses incurred with the settlement. He said the department has a $5,000 budget for legal fees. Because of the $20,000 spent settling the lawsuit, Bouwman figures the fire department is $15,000 over budget on that line item.
Bouwman explained that the fire department had $25,000 budgeted for a fire engine that was approved almost three years ago. He said that deal fell through, and he doesn't see the need for that engine now.
The council took no action because Fire Chief Terry Molloy was not present. Man-Fletcher said she would like to talk with Molloy before the council moves on that money.
Councilman Gil Robinson complained about the cost of legal help and questioned whether the current town attorney, Phyllis Smiley, is doing a good job for the town.
"I read these bills and I see a lot of fat in them," Robinson said. He said there were a lot of things done by Smiley that weren't needed or asked for by the town.
Vice Mayor Jane Moore said the town should go through the itemized fees and talk with the law firm before taking any action to switch law firms.
Although the agenda did not have any item calling for a discussion of going out for proposals for a new law firm, Bouwman made a motion for the council to do just that. Robinson voted to support Bouwman's motion, but Moore and council members Rebekah Kennedy and Nancy Stewart voted it down.
