Cedarville council moves to end contract with city attorney after missed meetings

The Cedarville City Council voted in September 2002 to send a letter notifying city attorney Don Jenkins of its intent to cancel his contract after members said he had not attended recent meetings and did not attend a Municipal Meetings session for which the city had paid his fee.

Mayor Beverly Pyle raised the issue in September, saying the attorney’s absence from the Municipal Meetings at Fort Smith—after the city had paid his fee—warranted looking for alternate representation. After discussion, the council passed a motion to send a termination letter and to consider other attorneys for replacement; minutes note that Attorney Jenkins had received a termination letter but no response was on record at the time of the October meeting.

At subsequent meetings the council discussed potential replacements; Recorder/Treasurer Jane Dickson reported preliminary contact with Attorney Barlow from the Gant and Barlow firm and the issue was carried forward for formal action. The minutes do not record a signed contract with a replacement attorney by year-end.

The council recorded the decision as a formal motion (passed 4-0) to send notice of contract termination and to seek new counsel in order to ensure consistent legal representation for the city.