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members here with different constituencies, that means there are nine (9) equal clients that are <br /> really one (1)unit. I would ensure that all members are being fairly represented and balancing <br /> those relationships is important. That is different than when you have three (3) Council members <br /> of a town of five hundred(500) people. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Varner asked, There have been times when there has been different <br /> terminology from different Council members on the same resolution. Would you be able to help <br /> synthesize those things? <br /> Mr. Cox replied, Yes, I think you have to be in a position to set a course while setting aside your <br /> own policy ideas. If there are instances with competing language, I would be able to do that. I <br /> was in the State Legislature for three (3) years and one (1)thing I liked about being a lawyer <br /> there was it put me in a position to negotiate what language meant. For instance the use of`shall' <br /> is different from using `may.' I was working on a mobile home law and the people in Benford <br /> County wanted this piece in the legislation about the rural parts of Indiana and a group from <br /> another part was concerned about how that would impact the ability to get rid of mobile home <br /> units in the more urban, commercial part of the State. We had big meetings and we were able to <br /> hammer that out and suggest language where everyone came together and supported it. <br /> Councilmember Dr. Varner followed up, If asked, you would be willing to draft two (2) different <br /> ordinances? <br /> Mr. Cox replied, As long as the Council members have the ability to introduce that ordinance <br /> and they are directing me to do that, then certainly. <br /> Councilmember Voorde asked, Have you in the past worked with Clerk Treasurers in any legal <br /> capacity? <br /> Mr. Cox replied, I work with the Clerk Treasurer all the time. Though my boss is the Mayor, he <br /> works very well and closely with the Clerk Treasurer. He is one (1) of the people who runs the <br /> city. The way in which I work with him is I will have conversations with the Clerk Treasurer <br /> about things going on and then I'll take that and let the Mayor know we had a conversation and <br /> talk about what we would like to do. So, the Clerk Treasurer is an information point but then I <br /> recognize my authority comes from the Mayor. Similar to here, I think I would take insight from <br /> resources of what is going on but my actual direction would come from the Council. <br /> Councilmember Broden asked, How do you feel about this position being an annually appointed <br /> position? <br /> Mr. Cox replied, That is common. Many public entities are moving away from the `lawyer as an <br /> employee' to a contract base. I believe most of our agreements are on an annual arrangement <br /> right now. I am on an annual arrangement with the City of Woodburn. I know that with a lot of <br /> our towns it is the same. It would be customary and as a service, you can hire the service out <br /> under IC-522. But, it makes sense that it would be one (1) so you can review that service and <br /> decide to make changes if that is necessary. So the fact that it is June, it doesn't weigh on me in <br /> particular one (1) way or the other. <br /> 11 <br />