To: Board of Supervisors
From: Human Resources
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for legal services for the term to encompass FY 2021-22 in an amount not to exceed $450,000.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Liability Fund 3524 354
DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt has used the services of the employment law firm of Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore (“LCW”) for many years. LCW provides representation to the county on employment litigation and administrative hearings, labor negations, and special employment law services. The county is also a member of LCW’s Humboldt County training consortium (along with most local cities and other local agencies) which provides ongoing staff training and development on employment law issues.
Your Board approved the current agreement in May of 2019 with an amendment signed on April 2020. This agreement covers assistance in labor negotiations, administrative proceedings, and legal advice on special employment projects. Due to the complexity of some of these tasks, staff endorses utilizing the firm through the next fiscal year and recommends maintaining the total cost of the current agreement which is $450,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenses are funded and have been included in the budget for the Liability Fund in FY 2021-22 in the amount of $450,000. Approval of the attached legal services agreement with LCW will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement. This is not recommended as LCW is currently actively assisting the county in several matters within the scope of the agreement.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Original Agreement
2. Amendment
3. FY 2021-22 Contract
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
5/7/19 item C-31