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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-15-2007-4dORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 15, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Child Support Attorney Contract DEPARTMENT: Child Support Enforcement PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 2007-2008 Contract INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Sparks 245 2178 PURPOSE: To contract with Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave and Peek to provide legal representation for the Child Support Office. BACKGROUND: The Child Support program must have legal representation to be in compliance with NC law and Federal regulations. Only an attorney can perform certain functions essential to the program. There is no change in the contract from 2006-2007. The hourly rate of $90 remains unchanged and 66 percent of the hourly charges are reimbursed through Federal Financial Participation (FFP). FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the contract for fiscal year 2007-2008 remains constant at the 2006-07 budgeted amount of $51,600. The County Manager's Recommended 2007-08 Annual Operating Budget will include funding sufficient to cover the contract. It is important to note that the County's cost after receiving revenues associated with the Federal Financial Participation (FFP) will be $17,544. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract and authorize the Chair to sign. 0 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ) CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT COUNTY OF ORANGE ) THIS CONTRACT made and entered into this the 1st day of July, 2007, by and between Orange County, hereinafter County, and Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave & Peek; P.C., hereinafter Attorneys. W I T N E S S E T H: THAT WHEREAS, the County desires to employ Attorneys as its counselors at law for the County of Orange upon the following terms: 1. This Contract shall begin July 1, 2007 and unless sooner terminated by 30 days' notice of either party shall exist and continue through June 30, 2008. 2. Attorneys, upon reasonable notice, are to be available for consultation, legal advice and for representation as requested by the Child Support Enforcement Agency on all legal matters arising from the duties of County under Article 9 of Chapter 110 of the North Carolina General Statutes, Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, and the federal regulations lawfully promulgated pursuant thereto. 3. Recognizing that from time to time representation of County by Attorneys may result in a conflict of interest for the 1 O Attorneys, it is agreed that when such a conflict arises, the Attorneys may refer cases requiring legal services to other lawyers in Orange County. Such referrals shall be with the consent and approval of the County Manager. In all cases of referrals, the attorney to which the case is referred shall be compensated at the hourly rate specified in paragraph 5 below, and shall keep an itemized record of work performed for County on a case-by-case basis, submitting a bill therefor showing a breakdown of services performed on a case-by-case basis. In the event such an attorney is awarded counsel fees by the Court in this regard, an accounting shall be made to County in the same manner as provided above. 4. Attorneys agree to comply with all the requirements of Article 9 of Chapter 110 of the North Carolina General Statutes, Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto relating to the performance of program legal services including, but not limited to, maintaining such records as are required by County, to make said reports available for federal or state audit, if required, and to make financial, statistical and program progress reports as are required. 2 0 5. For their services under this Contract, County agrees to pay Attorneys (1) Ninety and No/100 Dollars ($90.00) per hour for each hour spent by them providing legal services under the Child Support Enforcement Program; and (2) Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month for the services of clerks and ,legal assistants hired by them to assist them in the performance of their duties to County and the cost of faxing, telephone, copying, and postal. expenses. The payments herein shall encompass all expenses, including but not limited to, those for salary, supplies, office space, heating and maintenance for office space, telephone service, long-distance telephone calls and travel. County agrees to pay all court costs and filing fees which are required to be paid in conjunction with services provided by Attorneys under this agreement. Court costs and filing fees advanced by Attorneys on behalf of County shall be reimbursed to Attorneys. 6. Attorneys will be reimbursed for attendance at an annual child support training session. Reimbursement will be at the rate of Forty-five and No/100 Dollars ($45.00) per hour for each hour of the .session attended, not to exceed Two Hundred Twenty-five and No/100 Dollars ($225.00) for attendance at the full annual training session or One Hundred and No/100 Dollars 3 ($100.00) for a single day attended. Attorneys shall obtain from the Director of the Orange County Child Support Program prior approval to attend an annual child support training session. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, said parties have executed this Contract in triplicate originals, one of which is to be retained by County, one of which is to be retained by Attorneys and one of which is to be filed with the Child Support Enforcement Section, Division of Social Services of the Department of Human Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. COLEMAN, GLEDHILL, HARGRAVE & PEEK, P.C. By: Geoffrey E. Gledhill ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA By: Moses Carey, Jr., Chair ATTEST: Donna S. Baker Clerk to the Board of Commissioners This instrument has been preaudited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. Orange County Finance Officer lsg:orangecounty\csecon2007.doc 4