The Port of Olympia commissioners agreed to amend its consultant agreement with General Legal Counsel Richard “Rick” Hughes during a meeting held yesterday, October 10.
The improved contract will extend Hughes’ term until December 31, 2023, and will allow Hughes to make charges of up to $350,000. The original agreement was set to expire on March 31, 2023, with a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000.
The contract had to be amended as $84,000 had already been spent on Hughes as of August, four months after the contract started in April.
Port Executive Services Director Lisa Parks explained that payments made to Hughes would soon exceed the original not-to-exceed amount due to his workload.
“Billings from Rick averaged about $16,740 per month. That's been a little bit more in the last couple of months, I think, largely because of all the work that Rick has been doing for us on the ballot proposition and the five-member commission in particular,” Parks explained.
“If there is a successful ballot proposition and we have new commissioners that need to come on board, there may be some extra activity that we need for Rick to do next year,” Parks added.
Port commissioners supported the amendment and commended Hughes’ work.
“I've been very pleased with Mr. Hughes' services… I really appreciate that you're tracking where the billing is being utilized so that we can see where we can spend less on legal services,” said Port Commissioner Amy Evans Harding.
The Port hired Hughes in April after former general counsel VaLiesha Brown vacated the position in March 2022 to take another job. According to his statement of qualifications, Hughes has over 30 years of legal experience and focuses on labor and employment, real estate, construction, public utilities, and public agency law.
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TonyW33
Sounds about right for POA, 3.5 times the original cost estimate. More taxes on the way!
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