The Dalton City Council voted 4-0 on Wednesday in a called meeting to accept a bid from the Minor Firm for city attorney services and to name Jonathan Bledsoe, a lawyer with that firm, as city attorney for a one-year term.
Mayor David Pennington typically votes only when there is a tie.
“The city in November advertised an RFP (request for proposals) for legal services beginning in 2024,” said City Administrator Andrew Parker. “We received four proposals on Dec. 1. The city conducted an interview panel with all of the interested firms. That panel scored the proposals, and the Minor Firm scored the highest.”
“The rate for the Minor Firm is $250 per hour for attorneys and $125 per hour for paralegals,” Parker said. “We’ve also identified flat rates for various things like title exams and copies.”
Parker said city officials wanted to go ahead and name Bledsoe city attorney so he will be able to swear in Mayor-elect Annalee Harlan Sams and council members Tyree Goodlett and Dennis Mock, who were reelected in November, at the council’s Monday, Jan. 8, meeting.
Parker said the Mitchell & Mitchell law firm, which has provided city attorney services since 2019, will continue to do so through the end of 2023.
City government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day.