FY 25-26 & 26-27
Presented by: Thomas Hedegard, Deputy City Manager
City Attorney’s Office
Budget Presentation
Overview
The City Attorney for the City of Lathrop:
2 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 of outside counsel as
necessary. Image: Contract Review
Org Chart
City Attorney
City Attorney
Division
Legal Assistant
(1)
Legal Secretary
(1)
Accomplishments
• Coordinated defense of 11 lawsuits against the City.
• Coordinated defense of 27 Tort Claims against the City. • Settled 21 City property damage claims against other parties; collected over $67,000 in damages for the City.
• Reviewed and drafted responses to 507 requests pursuant to the CA Public Records Act. • Reviewed and revised 2,978 documents and legal matters. • Settlement with 3M Company et al. regarding PFAS/PFOA Forever Chemical litigation resulting in first initial net payment of $756,000 and additional settlement payments to the City until 2033. Additional, separate Defendants in this lawsuit are currently in settlement negotiations which shall result in additional settlement payments to the City at later dates. • 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.
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.
Image: Law Books in Law Library
Significant Changes
Fund
2024/25
Amended
Budget
2025/26
Proposed
Budget
2026/27
Proposed
Budget
FY 24/25 to
25/26
Inc/(Dec)
Comments
Administration
Personnel Services $ 622,853 $ 691,091 $ 719,836 $ 68,238 Increase from 24/25 to 25/26 is due to
the annual adjustments in retirement,
healthcare, OPEB costs, and COLA.
Materials, Supplies and
Small Equipment $ 9,000 $ 5,617 $ 5,848 $ (3,383)
Decrease is due to a completed, onetime equipment purchase in 24/25.
Image: Law Books with Gavel