A request to hire outside legal counsel was granted by Uhrichsville council.
Law Director Jeff Merklin asked for the approval since he is not versed in legal matters tied with the W 3rd Street bridge project regarding needed property approval.
The matter was sent to the Finance Committee, and Chair Polly Clark agreed to a hiring threshold.
“We agreed on capping that at $30,000. It has to be voted through council through the whole committee.”
While Merklin said he didn’t see a problem with that amount, he noted “I’m a little confused to be honest. Most law directors have budgets that I don’t even have to ask to do this. I just hire when I think I need help.”
Merklin added, “The issue here is, to be honest with you, I want to learn how to do it if it comes up again, we don’t have to do this again. I think that’s more than generous.”
The amount will be in addition to the $220,000 bank loan the city needs to complete the bridge project that the previous administration committed to.
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