by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
General Counsel Rick Mullaney proposed a 2007-08 fiscal year budget that is nearly $81,000 under last year’s budget. Thursday, Mullaney went in front of the City Council Finance Committee with a budget of $8.35 million for his 40-attorney public law firm.
“Few people truly see the breadth and depth of this office,” said Mullaney, adding that due to the consolidated nature of the Jacksonville city government, no other county in the state has its own law firm.
Mullaney said his office essentially helps oversee an overall $4 billion budget, seven independent authorities, five constitutional officers, both the executive and legislative branches and 50 collegial bodies.
“I truly believe the group of lawyers that serves is the most talented group in the history of consolidated government and the most talented public law firm in the state,” said Mullaney. “This is an extraordinary group.”
Last year’s budget was $8.43 million.
Mullaney has been General Counsel since 1997, making him the longest tenured General Counsel since Consolidation in 1968. When Mullaney was appointed, the office had 38 attorneys, only two less than he’s had for the past three years. In 2000, the office only had 33 attorneys on staff.
In addition to the attorneys that advise City officials and employees on everything from prayer at graduation to land use and zoning issues, the office has 21 secretaries, six paralegals, two office administrators, three receptionists and two people assigned to the Duval Delegation Office.
Mullaney’s office is funded through two sources: billable clients and an annual lump sum from the City’s Risk Management office.
Council Auditor Kirk Sherman didn’t have any recommendations for the Finance Committee regarding Mullaney’s budget. However, Council and Finance Committee member Denise Lee did request that Mullaney look into permanently assigning members of his office to the City Council and the mayor’s office.
“I’d like to see City Council have its own lawyers and the administration have its own lawyers,” said Lee, who is early in her second stint on Council. “It’s difficult to make decisions when you are representing both sides, especially when the sides are at odds.
“I am not saying we are getting bad information, but it’s a challenge when you represent both sides.”
Mullaney said he and Lee had a “lengthy discussion” on the topic a couple of weeks ago.
“I respectfully disagree,” said Mullaney, calling the shared use of the Office of General Counsel one of the “most important reforms” since Consolidation. “We tried this in the 1980s and it was a disaster by all accounts that I have read. I don’t think this is one (topic) we should discuss.”
Lee lightened the moment by offering to trade one of her colleagues for OGC Managing Deputy Steve Rohan, who spends a great deal of time with Council members.
“We can take Steve and you can have (Council member) Jack (Webb),” said Lee. “The administration can have Jack Webb. I don’t care.”