Commissioner Jamey Westbrook locks horns with County Attorney’s contract….Westbrook victorious

County Manager Jim Dean introduced the discussion on Item 12, a proposed revision to the county attorney’s agreement. The change would increase the monthly retainer from $1,000 to $1,500 and raise hourly rates from $200 to $275.

Attorney Michele Jordan reminded commissioners that her retainer had not changed since 2018. She also said her workload has dropped sharply since Dean became administrator. “My workload has decreased by about 75 percent since your new county administrator came on board,” Jordan told the board. “Prior to Mr. Dean becoming your administrator, I averaged about 40 to 50 hours a month for this county. I’m currently averaging 10 to 15.”

She added that many agenda items are no longer being routed through her office for legal review.

Commissioner Paul Donofro pressed for clarity on the proposal. While he acknowledged Jordan’s rates were lower than attorneys in counties like Walton and Okaloosa, he described the increase from $1,000 to $1,500 as “a pretty big jump.” He suggested staff research what other counties of similar size are paying.

Commissioner Donnie Branch said he supported putting legal services out for bid. “You all know how I like RFPs,” Branch said. “I think that gives us an opportunity to see where we stand.”

Commissioner Willie Spires focused on the workload issue, asking what accounted for the reduction in hours. Jordan repeated that fewer agenda items were being submitted to her, while Dean said his approach was simply not to send every item for legal review. Spires pressed again but did not get a clear answer, later saying he could not support the motion without better understanding.

Commissioner Edward Crutchfield said he had no problem with Jordan’s proposed rates, noting that $1,500 plus $275 an hour for additional work “may be okay,” but he supported checking into other counties’ practices.

Jordan also compared her contract to other professional services, pointing out that the county’s auditing and insurance providers had received increases without being put out for bid. “I need it on the record that my professional services are being treated differently than other professional service providers,” she said.

Chairman Jamey Westbrook, who had relinquished the chairmanship to make the motion, cut her off. “Thank you. We all have an opinion,” Westbrook said. “Move on.”

Westbrook’s motion to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services was seconded by Branch. The board voted 3–2 to approve, with Westbrook, Branch, and Crutchfield in favor. Spires and Donofro opposed.