DATE: April 22, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Daniel C. Cederborg, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Specialized Legal Services Agreement for Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Under Administrative Policy No. 34, for competitive bids or requests for proposals (AP 34), determine that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement under AP 34 is satisfied and a suspension of competition is warranted to obtain the services of special legal counsel to assist the County, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an agreement with Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP to act as bond counsel and disclosure counsel for special projects that may arise during FY 2025-26, effective July 1, 2025 through and including June 30, 2026, total not to exceed $75,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will engage Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP ("Hawkins") as the County's bond counsel and disclosure counsel as needed for special projects that may arise during FY 2025-26. County Counsel would be able to authorize Hawkins to initiate work on special projects between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Because some special projects might arise toward the end of that period, bond counsel services may continue past June 30, 2026 for any work authorized through that date. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative to retaining bond counsel and disclosure counsel for these services because they must be provided by attorneys who have specialized expertise in federal income tax and federal securities laws. The County Counsel's office does not provide those specialized services.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
Under AP 34, competitive bidding is not required to engage specialized legal ...
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