SANTA PAULA : City Contracts With Ventura Law Firm

For the first time in Fillmore’s history, local officials will receive their legal advice from a firm outside the city.

Roger Myers of the Ventura law firm of Myers, Widders and Gibson will work on a retainer basis, as did his predecessor, Fillmore attorney Joseph P. D. Kern, who served the city for 20 years before retiring last month.

Myers will attend City Council and Planning Commission meetings, plus occasional staff meetings, said City Manager Roy Payne.

The contract includes five additional hours of legal services for $1,400 a month; additional time will be billed at $112 per hour, Payne said.

By contrast, the city spent $2,100 monthly for Kern’s services, but extra time was only $65 an hour.

“The staff will have to get used to using the attorney’s services on a more cost-effective basis,” Payne said. “With careful management, the cost should be about the same.”

Myers, Widders and Gibson were among nine firms that bid to provide legal services to Fillmore.

Besides offering attractive rates, Payne said the law firm was chosen because it also serves the city of Ojai and is well-acquainted with issues facing small cities.