HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 17738-09-2007Ordinance No. 17738-09-2007
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GENERAL FUND IN
THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 AND DECREASING THE UNRESERVED,
UNDESIGNATED GENERAL FUND BALANCE BY THE SAME AMOUNT, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF RETAINING THE LAW FIRM OF TAYLOR, OLSON, ADKINS,
SRALLA & SLAM, LLP, AS OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO ASSIST THE CITY
ATTORNEY IN ADVISING THE CITY IN CERTAIN ELECTION LAW ISSUES;
PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE
CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2006-
2007 in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased appropriations in the General
Fund in the amount of $25,000 and decreasing the unreserved, undesignated General Fund
balance by the same amount, for the purpose of retaining the law firm of Taylor, Olson, Adkins,
Sralla & Elam, LLP, as outside legal counsel to assist the City Attorney in advising the City in
certain election law issues.
SECTION 2.
That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid,
inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or
judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this
ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3.
That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance No. 17142 and all other ordinances and
appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance
are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said
conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Depu~Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: September 4, 2007
City ®f Fort I/V®rth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 9/4/2007 -Ord. No. 17738-09-2007 & Res. No. 3521-09-2007
DATE: Tuesday, September 04, 2007
LOG NAME: 12TAYLOROLSON REFERENCE NO.: **G-15850
SUBJECT:
Adopt Appropriation Ordinance and Resolution Authorizing Employment of Outside Counsel to
Assist the City Regarding Certain Election Law Issues
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to retain the law firm of Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP, as
outside counsel, pursuant to Chapter VI, Section 3 of the City Charter, to assist the City Attorney in advising
the City in certain election law issues;
2. Adopt the attached resolution fixing in advance, as far as practicable, the amount to be paid to Taylor,
Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP, in an amount not to exceed $25,000; and
3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing appropriations in the General Fund by $25,000,
and decreasing the unaudited, unreserved, undesignated General Fund balance by the same amount.
DISCUSSION:
A "Petition to Adopt the 'Fire and Police Employee Relations Act' for Fort Worth Fire Fighters" was received
by the City Secretary's Office on July 26, 2007. The Petition is pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Texas Local
Government Code and there are legal issues concerning the petition and election law which have not been
addressed by this City previously. The City Attorney's Office wishes to employ outside legal counsel, with
knowledge and expertise in matters involving election law, to assist the City Attorney with regard to these
issues.
FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Finance Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and the adoption of the
attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget as appropriated, of
the General Fund. Upon approval, the unaudited, unreserved, undesignated fund balance of the General
Fund will be $3,890,474, which is the amount available above the minimum reserve fund balance of
$46,845,951 required by the City's Financial Management Policy Statements (i.e., 10 percent of the current
year adopted budget less the annual transfer from the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund).
Logname: 12TAYLOROLSON Page 1 of 2
l~
TO Fund/AccountlCenters FROM Fund/Account/Centers
GG01 538110 0121000 $25.000.00 GG01 538110 0121000 $25.000.00 j
Submitted for City Manager's Office by; Karen Montgomery (6222)
Originating Department Head: David Yett (7623)
Additional Information Contact: Marcia Wise (7623)
Logname: 12TAYLOROLSON Page 2 of 2