Council authorizes arbitration and approves adjusted payments in dispute over city attorney bills

The Sun Valley City Council on May 12 approved steps to resolve a disputed billing from City Attorney Adam King and authorized payment adjustments. Council President Keith Saks moved to authorize the mayor or his designee to institute fee arbitration proceedings through the Idaho State Bar to determine whether the city is owed $36,247.72; the motion was seconded by Council Member Jane Conard and approved by voice vote (AYES: Saks, Griffith, Hendricks, Conard).

The council also considered payment of bills from Adam King dated May 6, 2015. Council President Keith Saks moved to pay bills based on an adjusted $205 hourly rate upon submission of a revised invoice; that motion passed. A prior motion to reject an April 9, 2015 bill failed for lack of a second. Council Member Jane Conard later moved to approve all items in the bill at the $205 amount; the motion passed 3–1 (AYES: Griffith, Hendricks, Conard; NAY: Saks). The record shows the council spent extended time discussing billing details and then entered executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(b) before returning and voting on these actions.