Town Attorney Department Expenditures
General Fund Department 01-1105
Department Overview
The Town Attorney serves as the primary legal adviser to the Town Council and provides legal guidance and support to Town staff in a quasi-department head role. The Town Council contracts with the law firm of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley PC for legal services. Gary Bell serves as the Town Attorney. The Town Attorney’s core services include:
- Serves as the legal advisor for the Town Council and attends all Town Council meetings and other key Town-related meetings as required.
- Provides legal advice and direction to Town staff related to town projects and operations.
- Represents the Town in certain litigation matters and enforcement of the municipal code.
- Reviews and proposes updates to the Municipal Code to respond to changes in the law or to reflect Town needs.
- Drafts or reviews all proposed ordinances, resolutions, and contracts.
- Assists risk management and insurance pool in processing and evaluating all personal injury, property damage and other monetary claims against the Town, including managing claims litigation and outside counsel as necessary.
The Town Attorney represents the Town as a whole and does not provide legal advice to individuals or citizens. The Town Attorney’s office is an independent contractor, and all billed amounts include all administrative and legal support services and are therefore not directly comparable to salaries paid to individuals performing similar work.
Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Accomplishments
- Advised on all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal, state, and local laws, orders, declarations.
- Assisted with implementation, revision, and extension of the Economic Recovery Program (formerly the Business Transition Support Program).
- Revised and drafted a comprehensive update to Title 17 (Zoning) and Title 18 (Design Standards) of the Yountville Municipal Code.
- Revised and drafted Phase II Water Conservation Measures and updates to the water shortage emergency provisions of the Yountville Municipal Code.
- Drafted Municipal Code amendments to: (i) implement SB 1383 Organics Waste Disposal, and (ii) implement SB 9 housing legislation.
- Represented the Town in code enforcement proceedings.
- Drafted contracting forms and various agreements to facilitate Town projects.
Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Goals and Objectives
- Provide fair and accurate advice to the Town Council in all matters before them.
- Support and advise Town staff so they may efficiently and effectively achieve their goals.
- Enforce the Municipal Code and assist staff in achieving compliance.
- Provide timely legal review of all Town contracts, agreements, and agenda reports presented for Town Attorney review.
- Review and update Municipal Code to respond to changes in law or Town policy.
Budget Highlights
- The budget for regular contract services is $196,000 which includes a monthly retainer amount and funding for additional projects or needs.
- The Town Attorney and his staff have been within the budgetary amounts identified within their monthly retainer for general municipal services. Some matters, including litigation and code enforcement matters, may require additional budgetary amounts from the Legal Contingency Fund. These amounts are approved in advance by the Town Council or Town Manager.
- Legal services required by the Town include a review of contracts, agreements, ordinances, and other advisory functions.
Did You Know?
- The Town Attorney serves as the North Bay Division’s representative on the Legal Advocacy Committee of the League of California Cities and was selected from among committee members to serve on the Executive Committee of the Legal Advocacy Committee
- The Town Attorney’s office includes 38 attorneys with a wide range of specializations.