1 City Attorney’s Office
Presented by: Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney
City Council Budget Presentation
FY 23/24 & 24/25
2 Overview
The City Attorney for the City of Lathrop:
Advises the City Council, City Manager and
other City officials/staff on all legal aspects
of municipal operations.
Assists staff in drafting staff reports,
Resolutions, Ordinances, Agreements, and
all other documents necessary to improve
City Operations.
Negotiates and drafts various agreements.
Files and defends lawsuits on behalf of the
City as necessary.
Prosecutes municipal code violations.
Manages the work or outside counsel as
necessary.
3 Accomplishments
• Defended 21 claims against the City.
• Settled 64 City property damage claims against other parties; collected over $207,000 in damages for the City.
• Reviewed and drafted responses to 505 requests pursuant to the CA Public Records Act. • Reviewed and revised 2,817 documents.
• Participation in the National Opioid Epidemic Class Action Lawsuits which shall now result in settlement payments to the City for opioid epidemic remediation until 2036. • Harlan Road Realignment Project:
- Resolved litigation to allow the project to proceed.
- Assisted in discussions resulting in a $1.4mil collection from Union Pacific RailRoad to the City for this project.
4 Goals
Continue to support development within Lathrop through legal support of staff working on adopted and proposed projects including: entitlements, development agreements, special district formations, subdivision improvement agreements, and SB5 compliance.
Continue efforts to collect sums due to the City from settled property damage claims against other parties.
Evaluate claims against the City and defend as directed by City Council.
Coordinate staff responses to Public Records Act requests.
Ensure compliance with and keep City Council and staff advised of new and evolving State and Federal laws.
5 Significant Changes
Fund
2022/23
Adopted
Budget
2023/24
Proposed
Budget
2024/25
Proposed
Budget
FY 22/23 to
23/24
Inc/(Dec)
Comments
Administration
Personnel Services $558,303 $590,929 $611,537 $32,626
Increase from 22/23 to 23/24 is due to the annual
adjustments in retirement, healthcare, and OPEB
costs.