MONROE - A change in payment method for the city attorney gives the city a chance to transition as Rex Ewald looks to retire by the end of 2016 after roughly three decades with Monroe.
The city terminated an employment agreement with Ewald on Tuesday. The contract for executive legal and technology coordinator services outlined Ewald be paid a gross monthly salary of $5,900 for 1,044 hours annually beginning April 1, 2013. Because Ewald plans to retire this year, he proposed legal service costs revert back to an hourly rate.
The termination agreement allows Ewald's law partner at Voegeli, Ewald & Bartholf Law Offices, S.C., Dan Bartholf, to gradually take responsibility for some of Ewald's work as city attorney. Ewald would be employed through the city at a rate of $163 per hour. Bartholf's rate is $144 per hour.
During a Salary and Personnel Committee meeting on Jan. 19, Ewald said he thought an hourly agreement rather than salary would be an advantage for the city. The agreement calls for the city to revert back to hourly pay for legal services provided by either Ewald or Bartholf until the end of the current contract. The termination date for the employment agreement is March 31.
Alderwoman Brooke Bauman expressed interest during the committee meeting in opening up the position for hiring "out of fairness" rather than automatically continuing with the same firm. City Administrator Phil Rath said it was possible since the city is not required to accept the lowest cost offer.
For his part, Ewald said it would be a good opportunity for the city to explore other options, and agreed that the city could research how other municipalities handle hiring and maintaining a city attorney.
The city terminated an employment agreement with Ewald on Tuesday. The contract for executive legal and technology coordinator services outlined Ewald be paid a gross monthly salary of $5,900 for 1,044 hours annually beginning April 1, 2013. Because Ewald plans to retire this year, he proposed legal service costs revert back to an hourly rate.
The termination agreement allows Ewald's law partner at Voegeli, Ewald & Bartholf Law Offices, S.C., Dan Bartholf, to gradually take responsibility for some of Ewald's work as city attorney. Ewald would be employed through the city at a rate of $163 per hour. Bartholf's rate is $144 per hour.
During a Salary and Personnel Committee meeting on Jan. 19, Ewald said he thought an hourly agreement rather than salary would be an advantage for the city. The agreement calls for the city to revert back to hourly pay for legal services provided by either Ewald or Bartholf until the end of the current contract. The termination date for the employment agreement is March 31.
Alderwoman Brooke Bauman expressed interest during the committee meeting in opening up the position for hiring "out of fairness" rather than automatically continuing with the same firm. City Administrator Phil Rath said it was possible since the city is not required to accept the lowest cost offer.
For his part, Ewald said it would be a good opportunity for the city to explore other options, and agreed that the city could research how other municipalities handle hiring and maintaining a city attorney.