FY 25 Adopted Budget | Page 90

Legal Services

The Legal Services Department is the home of the Town Attorney and the Assistant Town Attorney . North Carolina municipalities are required by NCGS § 160A-173 to appoint a Town Attorney “ to serve at its pleasure and to be its legal adviser .” The Town Attorney is selected and appointed by the Town Council . The Town Charter outlines the following duties : defend lawsuits against the Town , advise on Town issues , draft legal documents , review , and approve agreements , contracts , franchises , and other instruments , attend Town Council meetings , and perform other duties as directed by Town Council . The Town Attorney was transitioned to an in-house full-time employee position in October 2020 .
Town Council approved the addition of a paralegal in the adopted FY23-24 Budget . In December 2023 , Council approved the hiring of an Assistant Town Attorney in lieu of a paralegal due to the Town ’ s increased need for legal services resulting from new capital projects , complex public records requests , additional litigation , and other demands . An additional attorney provides legal advice , handle court appearances and collections , and review and approve legal documents – all of which will greatly improve the productivity and output of the Legal Services Department . The Department is also assisted by one or more legal interns each year .
Position Summary
ACTUALS FY21-22 .
ACTUALS FY22-23 .
AMENDED FY23-24 .
ADOPTED FY24-25 .
POSITIONS
Assistant Town Attorney
-
-
1.0
1.0
Town Attorney
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Total
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
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