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• <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: January 4, 2001 <br /> TO: Mike Mornson, City Manager <br /> FROM: Roger Larson, Finance Director <br /> ITEM: PROSECUTIONS/ATTORNEY COSTS <br /> I reviewed the proposed increase in attorney fees for prosecution services from Foster, <br /> Wentzell, Hedback & Brever. Their proposed fees are is follows: <br /> 1) 2001 $4,000 monthly retainer ($48,000 annual) <br /> 2) 2002 $5,000 monthly retainer ($60,000 annual) <br /> 3) 2003 $6,000 monthly retainer ($72,000 annual) <br /> Upon review of the hours the firm spends on prosecutions (approximately 750 hours <br /> annually) the current compensation of$36,000 equates to $48.00 per hour. <br /> • Since having been appointed prosecutors in 1995 they have implemented several <br /> services not previously provided to the City, such as DWI forfeiture cases, which <br /> increased the time spent on prosecutions by 15%. <br /> It seems fair that the firm receives equitable compensation for their prosecution <br /> services, the increased workload created by new law and the additional services they <br /> provide. <br /> Foster/Brever seem relatively comfortable with an effective hourly rate of$80.00 to <br /> $90.00 per hour. The proposed increase for 2001 equates to an hourly rate of$64.00, <br /> 2002, $80.00 and $96.00 in 2003. <br /> Included in the 2001 budget was an appropriation of$37,000 for prosecution services, <br /> which is considerably less than the amount they are asking. Presently, municipal court <br /> fines generate $85,000 to $100,000 annually. <br /> It would be my recommendation that the increase in costs for 2001 be absorbed by the <br /> annual fine revenue that St. Anthony receives. Preparation of the 2002 & 2003 budgets <br /> would reflect the increased costs of prosecution services. <br /> • <br />