To: Board of Supervisors
From: Human Resources
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Legal Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Regarding the Provision of Professional Legal Services Related to Representation of the County of Humboldt in Labor Negotiations, Administrative Proceedings and other Employment-Related Matters in an Amount Not to Exceed $225,000 for the Period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore regarding the provision of professional legal services related to representation of the County of Humboldt in labor negotiations, administrative proceedings and other employment-related matters in an amount not to exceed $225,000 for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; and
2. Authorize the Human Resources Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed original copy of the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to the Human Resources Department for further processing.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt has retained the employment law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for the provision of professional legal services related to labor negotiations, administrative hearings and other employment-related matters for many years. The County of Humboldt is also a member of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s training consortium, which provides ongoing staff training and development on employment law issues.
The attached legal services agreement will allow Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to continue representing the County of Humboldt in labor negotiations, administrative hearings and other employment-related matters for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It should be noted that the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore comes to Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
Accordingly, the Humboldt County Human Resources Department recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore regarding the provision of professional legal services related to representation of the County of Humboldt in labor negotiations, administrative proceedings and other employment-related matters for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the Human Resources Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed legal services.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Liability fund (3524-354)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (3524-354) |
FY26-27 Proposed |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$225,000 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$225,000 |
|
Funding Sources (3524-354) |
FY26-27 Proposed |
|
Liability Fund |
$225,000 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$225,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore has a maximum amount payable of $225,000 for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore have been included in the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the Liability Fund budget, 3524-354.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Approval of the attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve attached legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore regarding the provision of professional legal services related to the representation of the County of Humboldt in labor negotiations, administrative proceedings and other employment-related matters. However, this alternative is not recommended as Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is currently assisting the County of Humboldt in several matters with the scope of the attached legal services agreement.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Legal Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Regarding the Provision of Professional Legal Services Related to Representation of the County of Humboldt in Labor Negotiations, Administrative Proceedings and other Employment-Related Matters
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 7/2/24, 7/8/25
File No.: 24-1029, 25-849