# West Terre Haute clerk-treasurer asks for the right to hire a separate attorney; council hears objections, no vote heard

## What happened
The clerk-treasurer asked the council to put into an ordinance (a local law) the right to employ an attorney or legal research assistant for the clerk-treasurer's office, saying state law allows it and that it should be done openly before the board. [10:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=650)
A councillor objected that the town already has a town attorney and paid advisers. [12:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=740)
The town attorney said the ordinance set no contract or limit, called it close to a blank check, noted some Indianapolis attorneys charge $400 to $500 an hour, and said he had never seen a reimbursement section like the one included. [19:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1153)
The clerk-treasurer said no specific expense was being requested and costs had not been determined. [18:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1115)

## The outcome
No motion or vote on this ordinance is audible; the discussion ended with a speaker asking whether that item was finished and being told yes. [22:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1341)

## Sources
- [Clerk-treasurer's request, 10:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=650)
- [Councillor objection, 12:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=740)
- [Costs not determined, 18:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1115)
- [Attorney's concerns, 19:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1153)
- [Item closed, 22:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4bC2PDOVc&t=1341)

*Also known as: clerk-treasurer lawyer · legal research assistant · separate attorney for clerk-treasurer · West Terre Haute attorney ordinance*