09-19-95 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 19, 1995 Page 3 Mr. Nussbaum noted that there are three areas reflecting increases namely: an increase for Legal Interns to be competitive with the private market with a Legal Intern I being paid$7.28 per hour,Legal Intern II being paid $8.06 per hour, and Legal Intern III being paid$$8.91 per hour.He also indicated an increase in stationery and an increase of the Deputy City Attorney Ito be upgraded to a Deputy City Attorney III. He noted that a Deputy City Attorney I is requested to work ten hours per week. The person currently filling that position is the Attorney for the Alcohol Beverage Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission and puts in hours in excess of the ten hour weekly requirement. It was indicated that no parking citations are included in the numbers with parking citations being listed in the City Clerk's numbers. It was also indicated that there has been approximately 50 prostitute solicitation impoundment of vehicles which requires payment of $500.00 from the owner of the vehicle to retrieve their motor vehicle. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that the City Attorney's office has been successful in settling several claims and that this year the Department should be less than$300,000.00,which was the approximate cost for lawsuits settled for last year. Mr. Nussbaum indicated that state law has broadened the potential liability with regard to police chases and that this may impact the dollar amount number for settlements. Mr. Nussbaum also indicated that Indianapolis Mayor Goldsmith attempted to privatize many areas and found that privatizing in the legal department area cost more in light of private billings ranging from$200.00 per hour to $250.00 per hour then having in house counsel. Mr. Nussbaum indicated that private counsel is limited to those instances where a conflict arises, when bond counsel is required, and specialty areas such as environmental law. The Committee thanked Mr. Nussbaum and Jenny Pitts Manier for their presentation and for the wide based legal services provided to the City. Human Rights: 1995 = $196, 499.00 1996 =$204, 343.00 (requested) Lonnie Douglas made the presentation of both the line item and performance base budget information. He noted a increase of postage of approximately$1,500.00.He noted that some of this reflects an increase in light of the City of South Bend being elected to the International Board of Humane Rights Agency's with South Bend being the regional representative. He indicated that hearing officers currently receive $500.00 per case and that local attorneys are now being used.