Councilman to Ask for Audit of City’s Legal Bills
Councilman Steve Herfert is expected to ask his colleagues today to authorize an audit of all the legal bills from the three main lawyers representing the municipality, including City Atty. Betsy Martyn.
Herfert’s request will come two weeks after the council rejected a proposal he supported to hire a different law firm--Beltran, Leal & Medina--to handle one city contract. He backed off when more than 100 residents and city employees packed the council chamber alleging that it was the first step in an effort to oust Martyn, whose firm, Rutan & Tucker, handles the city’s legal affairs.
Martyn said last week it was fine for the city to review the bills, but added that she believed the move was “retribution” because she expressed concern about hiring Beltran, Leal & Medina.
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