Attorney fees may hit $850K in Rehoboth

In an effort to try and keep the city’s attorneys fees down, Rehoboth Beach commissioners have decided to offer an individual the job of in-house attorney. 

Commissioners made the decision Jan. 10, following a special meeting during which City Manager Taylour Tedder said the city had spent $690,000 on attorney fees to date this fiscal year. By the end of the fiscal year, which is March 31, the city could spend an additional $150,000, he said, adding the city spent $542,000 last year.

Commissioners conducted a two-hour-long interview Jan. 10, with the in-house candidate during an executive session. The information on how much money the city has spent on attorneys this year came during a brief discussion beforehand.

Commissioner Mark Saunders said if the city hires an in-house attorney, there would still be a need for contract attorneys for the planning commission and the board of adjustment.

Tedder acknowledged that, but he said a significant majority of the funds had been spent on the needs of city commissioners – the board of adjustment attorney has been paid $20,000, while the planning commission attorney has been paid $160,000.

Commissioner Suzanne Goode said she had an open mind on an in-house attorney, estimating an in-house attorney may cost $200,000, including benefits.

Commissioner Craig Thier said something has to be done on city spending related to attorneys, questioning who is approving the attorneys to do the work. There are no controls whatsoever, he said.

Following the discussion, commissioners went into an executive session to conduct an interview with a possible in-house solicitor. Upon return, commissioners seemed satisfied the candidate had the potential to be a good fit.

Goode said the candidate had indicated they would be available to begin in March.

Following the favorable vote, Tedder said he plans to have the offer sheet available for consideration for the commissioner meeting Friday, Jan. 17. At that time, the individual’s name can be released, he said.

This was the second interview the city conducted to find a new solicitor. The first was of attorney Gregory A. Morris in an open meeting Dec. 19. That was held in open session because he was being considered as a contractor – similar to the previous arrangement.

Rehoboth commissioners have been without an attorney since the end of October. Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico, the law firm of previous solicitor Alex Burns, told officials it was no longer going to represent the city. Prior to Burns, firm partner and former City Solicitor Glenn Mandalas had represented the city since 2006. The city has been using the services of attorney Max Walton, partner at Wilmington-based firm Connolly Gallagher, to temporarily fill the role of city solicitor.

During a previous meeting, Tedder provided a comprehensive list of attorneys the city uses on an as-needed basis. There’s one each for the planning commission and board of adjustment, two for government law and employment matters, and one acting as a bond counsel. The per-hour rate for attorney services ranges from $300 up to $525.