City retains lawyers for civil, criminal work

The city of Havre has renewed its contract with the law firm of Bosch, Kuhr, Dugdale, Martin & Kaze to do the city’s civil legal work, and Tamara Barkus to handle prosecutorial duties.

City Councilman Allen “Woody” Woodwick, the chair of council’s Finance Committee, said the council received other proposals for the civil work, but opted to retain the Bosch Kuhr firm because it has performed well for the city.

The firm will get $54,000 annually.

Because the firm is larger, Woodwick said, the committee felt it would have more expertise in a variety of fields.

“Besides, they have a few things in the fire now that they are in the middle of,” he said.

Under the contract agreed to by council Monday night, Bosch Kuhr will review contracts with city employee unions before they are signed, though city officials and councilmen will continue to do the negotiating.

The law firm will also handle annexation cases as they come up.

Councilmen were concerned about massive legal bills because they hired an outside firm to handle the contentious effort by the city to annex land outside the city boundaries.

But with that case over, city officials predict that annexation will become less contentious.

“We see that annexation will be considered routine city business,” said Mayor Tim Solomon.

The city will annex properties as soon as they are connected to city sewer and water services, he said.

“I think that’s the way it should have been all along,” he said.

Councilman Bob Kaftan agreed with Solomon.

“That’s the way to go,” he said.

In the past, the city would agree to provide sewer and water services. Years later, when it sought full annexation, property owners often strongly objected.

Barkus has handled prosecutorial duties for several years, city officials said.

She will be paid $48,000 annually.

The only disagreement was the length of the contract.

The city had proposed a two-year contract, but she held out for a one-year deal.

City Clerk Doug Kaercher said Barkus told them she was not sure what her workload would be with a new city judge being elected in the Nov. 5 elections.

Judge Margaret Hencz has announced she will not seek re-election.

Hill County Justice Court Clerk Virginia Seigel is the only candidate thus far to file for the post.