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 A councillor objected that the town already has a town attorney and paid advisers. 12:20 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 The clerk-treasurer said no specific expense was being requested and costs had not been determined. 18:35

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

Sources

• Clerk-treasurer's request, 10:50
• Councillor objection, 12:20
• Costs not determined, 18:35
• Attorney's concerns, 19:13
• Item closed, 22:21

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