Agenda

Return

C.136

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Sharon L. Anderson, County Counsel
Date:	September 13, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract for Specialized Professional Services

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/13/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Mary Ann Mason, Chief Assistant County Counsel, 925 335-1821
cc:	Mary Ann Mason, Chief Assistant County Counsel County Administrator Auditor-Controller Hanson Bridgett LLP (via County Counsel)

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 13, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Counsel, or designee, to execute, on behalf of Contra Costa County, a contract for specialized professional services with Hanson Bridgett LLP.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Provision for outside legal services is included in the appropriate FY 2016/2017 department operating budgets. Costs and payments are administered by the County Administrator's and County Counsel's Offices.

BACKGROUND:

From time to time, the County requires specialized expertise in the areas of income tax, employee benefits law, and litigation. Hanson Bridgett LLP has specialists in income tax and employee benefits law, including Judy Boyette, and can provide services needed in these areas in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Ms. Boyette has represented the County and other public agencies on tax and benefits issues for many years. The firm also has specialists in litigation, including Ray Lynch, who previously successfully represented the County in Ben Best v. Board of Retirement of the Contra Costa County Employee's Retirement Association, County of Contra Costa, et al., and who currently represents the County in Retiree Support Group of Contra Costa County v. Contra Costa County. The County Administrator's Office and the County Counsel believe that the continued services of Hanson, Bridgett, LLP will be of assistance to the County Counsel's Office in defending the County against legal challenges. This contract will supersede all previous agreements between the parties.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Potential delay in advice on tax and benefit issues and less efficient defense of challenges to County programs.