Title
Assessor's Office recommending the Board approve and authorize an agreement for legal services retroactive to January 24, 2022 through January 23, 2023, with Albert Ramseyer, J.D. for professional legal services in the Safeway Assessment Appeals Board Matters. The not to exceed amount is $50,000.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Assessor is requesting the Board approve the retaining of outside legal counsel to represent the El Dorado County Assessor ("Assessor") to provide all customary and usual legal services to represent the Assessor in the Safeway Assessment Appeals Board Matters: Appeal Numbers 2019/2020-68, 2019/2020-69, 2019/2020-70, 2019/2020-71, 2019/2020-72, 2019/2020-84, 2019/2020-85, 2019/2020-86, 2019/2020-87, and 2019/2020-88. The Assessor is seeking legal advice regarding the filing of a Petition for Writ of Mandate and representation in any resulting legal actions in the referenced Safeway Appeals. Such services shall include all such services normally provided by Counsel which are reasonably related to the representation and defense of the Assessor in the aforementioned matters.
County Counsel has established an ethical wall in order to allow one attorney in their office to advise the Assessor and another attorney in their office to advise the Assessment Appeals Board. County Counsel has determined that it would be a conflict of interest for their office to represent the Assessor in this action.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the amendment and the Assessor could not pursue any action.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There will be no impact to the budgeted Net County Cost as the Assessor will cover the costs of this agreement with salary savings that are available in the current fiscal year.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain ...
Click here for full text