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CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON <br />STRATEGIC PLAN 2017 <br />Service Description <br />The City of New Brighton benefits from the maintenance of professional legal services, both in <br />the area of civil and criminal legal matters. The City retains the services of Kennedy and Graven <br />for civil matters. The City also utilizes the law firm of Hughes and Costello for municipal <br />prosecution matters. On occasion, the City needs other legal services associated with special <br />matters, such as environmental or personnel issues. On these occasions, other legal consultants <br />are contracted. <br />Proposed Changes to Service Level or Revenues <br />The current budget situation requires a more stringent management strategy for the legal services <br />received by the City. While no formal service level changes are proposed in this area, staff has <br />been directed to reduce, wherever feasible, the use of our City Attorney. Obviously, where real <br />or potential legal exposure exists, or where a formal legal opinion is required, the City Attorney <br />will be used as necessary. The City has implemented the practice of not requiring the City <br />Attorney at City Council meetings, except where the potential for a legal problem could arise. <br />Personnel Status and Strategy <br />This department does not have any direct personnel costs <br />Strategic Opportunities and Challenges <br />Ongoing management regarding the extent of legal services will continue. The City of <br />New Brighton currently benefits from excellent contracted legal services, in all areas, yet strives <br />to be conservative in the extent of their use. It will be important to try to minimize the level of <br />legal services necessary. This is accomplished through regular review of needs and issues that <br />can be resolved without the use of legal help. <br />LEGAL <br />24