Douglas County Attorney to Make $1.8 Million on Jail SPLOST

From Staff Reports: Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition

www.DouglasTaxes.com

Douglasville GA: If Douglas County voters approve the November 3, 2009, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and bond referendum for a $150 million new prison, county attorney Ken Bernard could receive $1.8 million for initiating the $120 million property bond, which will be secured by taxable properties within the county.

The Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) inquired about Bernard’s compensation if the 2009 jail SPLOST/Bond passes. According to replies received from the county through open records requests, his fees for the bond will be “negotiated” after the vote, if the measure passes.

Bernard’s annual contract with the county government is $243,000, plus other fees. If the board does not renew his contract, his severance pay will be the remaining fee for the year plus ˝ of the yearly contact amount.

Bernard also serves as counsel for the Douglas County Board of Education.

Earlier this year, a heated debate arose among school board members and citizens over a one year, $295.000 contract for Bernard. School board member Mike Miller claimed the contract was twice the fee paid for legal counsel by comparable county school systems in Georgia.

Opponents of Bernard’s contract with the school board contend that he has not submitted itemized invoices for his services. Also, that he has a conflict of interest by acting as counsel for both the county government and the school board and because of his real estate investments.

It has been reported that Bernard received $1.2 million over and above his annual fees for initiating a school bond.

James Bell, director of DCTC, questions why taxpayers are paying such high fees for legal services.

“Legal counsel should receive fair compensation for services, but the contract Mr. Bernard has written by himself and for himself is excessive, especially considering our county’s economic conditions”, Bell said.