Legal bills nearly double at Kamloops city hall
CBC
Legal bills at city hall in Kamloops, B.C., have nearly doubled in two years, according to newly released financial documents.
A statement of financial information (SOFI) report shows the city paid five law firms a total of $1.15 million in 2023, up from the $650,000 paid to two law firms in 2022.
In 2021, the city paid $510,000 to law firms. In 2020, it paid $415,000
The numbers don't include firms paid less than $25,000 and funds paid "in trust," which are typically reserved for real estate transactions, settlements and other temporary holding reasons.
The SOFI report also does not indicate what specific services the legal fees were for or why the fees have been rising.
City of Kamloops corporate services director David Hallinan said the increase in the city's legal bills is due to a number of factors, including freedom of information requests and a new council code of conduct that came into effect in 2023.
According to documents provided to CBC by the city, 20 code-of-conduct investigations have cost taxpayers $144,000 since July 2023, when the new policy came into effect.
Complaints have been filed against the mayor, councillors and other unnamed people for a variety of reasons, such as discrimination, bullying, harassment, giving misleading information, breach of privacy, mistreatment of staff and more. The investigations are conducted by lawyers who are paid by the city.
Hallinan also said some city contracts are becoming more "complex," requiring legal consultation.
Additionally, the city recently settled a labour dispute with union employees, which came with undisclosed costs, and court records also show the city is listed in nine civil lawsuits this year, up from five the year before.
The city is also dealing with several disputes involving the mayor and council for which legal counsel has been retained.
One notable dispute is a lawsuit brought by Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson against Coun. Katie Neustaeter for defamation after Neustaeter read a prepared statement on behalf of herself and the rest of council criticizing the mayor's approach to committee appointments.
Neustaeter's legal fees are being covered by the city.
The lawsuit shows that the law firm defending her is Harper Grey LLP, to which the city paid $33,000 in 2023, according to the SOFI report.
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