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Legal Fees Drive Up City's Budget

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - From a challenge to the new sprinkler ordinance by a nationwide homebuilder to an investigation of payroll discrepancies in the police department, the cost of safeguarding this city from legal action has nearly doubled in the past year.
City council members had budgeted about $30,000 this fiscal year for Joseph Poblick, the city's contracted city attorney.

But Monday night, City Manager Steve Spina told council members that a multitude of potentially litigious situations had pushed that figure up to $54,000.

"We've had a lot of issues to deal with in the past few months," he said.

Legal fees for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, also are projected to increase.

Included in a preliminary draft of next fiscal year's budget, reviewed by council members at Monday night's meeting, was a request to budget $57,000 for legal fees. Council members approved $40,000.

"The numbers are too high and without ample justification," said Councilman Kenneth Compton, a lawyer. "It reminds me of an overtime issue at a certain city department."
City officials recently concluded an investigation into payroll discrepancies in the police department. Poblick was called in to consult on a host of legal questions.

Council members did, however, sign off on Poblick's legal bills for the current fiscal year.

"That is basically water under the bridge now," Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said.

Poblick, a Zephyrhills native, was hired in 2006 to replace Karla Owens. At the time, he was offered $100 an hour, not to exceed $25,000 a year. By the end of the 2006-07 fiscal year, Poblick's legal costs had risen to $40,000.

From the 2001-02 fiscal year until the time Poblick was hired, the city paid Owens an average of $25,000 and $30,000 a year.

After voting on the adjustments Monday, Compton turned to Poblick, who was sitting next to him.

"It's just business," he said. "Nothing personal."

Poblick pushed back in his seat and cracked a half-smile.

"I don't take it personally at all," he replied.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at cwade@ tampatrib.com or (813) 948-4216.

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