DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Still grappling with the rising cost of legal fees, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services.

The firm of Jarrard and Davis has been under contract to represent the county since Lynn Frey, the county’s in-house attorney, resigned. But the contract with Jarrard and Davis will expire on Dec. 31.

Purchasing Manager Melissa Hawk presented commissioners three options; Hire an in-house attorney; Release a RFP to procure legal services by Jan. 1; Offer an extension request to Jarrard & Davis at the same prices, terms and conditions to begin Jan. 1, through Dec. 31.

Commissioner Julie Hughes-Nix has expressed her concern about the rising cost of legal fees. The Board recently voted to approve a request for increased legal funding for 2019. The request was for an additional $250,000, bringing the total 2019 budget up to $410,413. As recently as 2017, the budgeted amount for legal services was $232,000.

The Board also approved a land use resolution update that will add two new classifications – Residential Suburban 2 and Residential Suburban 3 – and adopted a moratorium on rezonings through Feb. 7.

In other votes, commissioners approved:

• A resolution to allow the county manager to approve a new special event business license for an annual event that was previously approved by the Board of Commissioners, providing there has been no material change in the event;
• A contract with the Georgia Public Defenders Office for 2020 in the amount of $187,311;
• The renewal of a memorandum of understanding with Georgia Forestry Commission that allows the county to purchase and operate Georgia Forestry equipment and trucks at a reduced cost for three years;
• A mutual aid agreement that requires both counties to respond to structure fires in areas identified in the agreement;
• The appointment of Austin Harmon as an alternate planning commissioner in District 4.
• Updates to the capital improvement element plan required by the Department of Community Affairs.

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