Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Monday, March 24, 2008
Use of outside labor counsel by county discussed
The county legal affairs committee discussed when the county should use outside labor counsel now that there a full-time corporation counsel last week.
County personnel coordinator Linda Kica said she uses the county's attorney for the majority of things, but there are still contracts in place and issues that have been handled by other attorneys. Kica said it makes more sense to use outside attorneys in situations where they have the history and background of an issue. Kica said there are also times when outside attorneys are used if a case is particularly complex and could result in a major legal undertaking.
Kica said she seldom needs an attorney for grievance issues, but occasionally issues arise when an attorney is needed and she generally confers with county corporation counsel Greg Lunde and determines if an issue can be handled in-house or if an outside attorney is needed.
"Whoever helps you out in the beginning of some of this is the person who has the history and the context and understands what the deal was," said Kica.
Lunde said as time passes there will be less and less need for outside attorneys.
Committee member Ralph Hicks, who is also on the personnel committee, commended the arrangement.
"In the past, this was not done," said Hicks. "We are beginning to consolidate this so we do have continuity between personnel, legal and the rest. It is becoming to be one. It is like three entities are making one decision."
"In a few years we shouldn't need outside counsel," said Lunde.
Kica said the arrangement has been valuable in working workplace issues at a lower level, so they do not have to rise to a formal grievance level.
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