Tax Group Asks Douglas County School Board to Postpone $295,000 Attorney Contract Vote

Douglasville, GA:  The Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) has asked the Douglas County Board of Education to postpone the scheduled June 15^th  7:00 PM vote for a $295,000 services contract for legal services with board attorney Ken Bernard.

In a letter dated June 12, 2008, James Bell director of DCTC called the proposed fees “excessive and extreme”. Bell asked that the school board postpone the vote scheduled next Monday night until the board can do their “homework” and determine what other counties are paying for comparable services.

“Our research indicates other counties are paying around $100,000 to $150,000 for legal services”, Bell said. “We feel $295,000 pre year for a part time attorney is excessive and grossly out of line with comparable school districts.”

According to Bell the contract was written by Mr. Bernard for Mr. Bernard and little research has been done by the school board as to what is reasonable to pay for such legal services.

Bell said “in hard economic times the school board should be looking for ways to cut expenses especially when they are considering raising our property taxes to meet their enormous budgets.”

Bell points out that the school board consumes over 70 percent of the property taxes collected in the county.

“We need a school board that that will look after the interest of taxpayers and this means providing the best service for the best price. Overpaying by one or two times the going rate for a part time lawyer accomplishes neither”, said Bell.

For more information visit www.DouglasTaxes.com

To: Chairman Jimmy Bartlett &

Douglas County Board of Education

From: James Bell

Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition

Dear Mr. Bartlett and School Board Members,

This concerns the proposed $295,000 services contract between the Douglas County School System and attorney Ken Bernard.

I respectfully request that the June 15^th vote on this matter be tabled and postponed until the board has the opportunity to research the contracts and fees of other comparable school districts.  

Based on the information I have obtained from other school systems, the proposed fees are extravagant and grossly out of line with acceptable fees being paid. Other counties report fees ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 for legal services.

In a time when taxpayers are struggling to keep pace and with the threat of high property taxes and millage rates, it is incumbent upon you to prove the best service at the most reasonable price.

We find this contact proposal to be excessive and extreme. We ask that you consider a more reasonable alternative to legal council.

Thank you for your service and consideration,

James Bell

Homeowner and Citizen of Douglas County

404-452-4668