High Cost of Attorney Fees

During the July 6 council meeting, Mission Viejo resident Larry Gilbert talked about attorney fees in his public comments.

Here’s information he was able to compile as a result of his Public Records request:

“For calendar years 2005 through 2009, we have paid our city attorneys just over $3.5 million dollars.

”Our total through April of this year is $220,304.99.

”Just to remind everyone, the city attorney has a month-to-month rolling contract. As such, he can be replaced at any time, should a council majority feel we can find a qualified firm that will also save Mission Viejo taxpayers some sizable bucks.

“If my memory has not failed, Councilman Frank Ury was involved in the decision to retain Richards Watson and Gershon over other qualified firms after Peter Thorson departed as our RW&G representative.

”Just sharing some city-related data as we strive for transparency in Mission Viejo government.”