New Attorney Reports to Work Amid Uncertainty

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Monroe Lynn Frey III, Dawson County’s new staff attorney, reported to work Monday amid a great deal of uncertainty about compensation, the need to hire a secretary or paralegal, and a potentially costly transition period.

The Board of Commissioners has yet to vote in a regular meeting on Frey’s compensation, although County Manager David Headley said Frey would be paid a salary of $85,000 a year to start and that could increase to $90,000 following a six-month probation period, not including a benefits package. The board is expected to discuss that during tonight’s work session.

Frey has expressed an interest in hiring a secretary or paralegal, something that could cost up to $50,000 annually, not including a benefits package and could require board approval.

Then there is the transition period. Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond said Joey Homans, who has been the county’s contract attorney the past 20 years, will stay on throughout the transition period. How long that will take is unclear. Meanwhile, county taxpayers will be paying two attorneys.
Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve Frey’s hiring with Commissioner Chris Gaines opposed.

Gaines, who was at the state capitol Thursday, said, “My vote was not against Mr. Frey. He was the most qualified of the three that we interviewed. I was just opposed to the process. We interviewed individuals only. I thought we should interview law firms also.”

Homans said he also had concerns about the cost of retaining two attorneys for an undisclosed period of time.