LEGAL DIVISION

 

Additional information about the Town Attorney’s Office may be obtained by calling Chris Simpson, Town Attorney, at (919) 469-4008 or by writing the Town’s website at www.townofcary.org.

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The mission of the Legal Department is to serve as the primary legal advisor to the Town’s elected officials,  employees and Boards and Commissions on matters of public business.  The Legal Department cannot provide legal advice or representation to citizens on any matter.

 

 

TOWN OF CARY GOALS AND INITIATIVES

Town Focus Areas

Focus Area I:

Community Planning

Focus Area II:  Infrastructure

Focus Area III:  Financial Condition

Focus Area IV:  Municipal Services

Town Goals

Achieve a well-planned community using innovative and proactive planning approaches and techniques.

Ensure that roads, water and wastewater facilities, parks, and other infrastructure exists for the existing citizens and for the future needs identified in the comprehensive plan.

Achieve a stable and strong financial position by accurately estimating, prudently allocating, and managing financial resources.

Achieve a high level of service to the citizens in a prompt, reliable, responsive, and cost-effective manner.

Town Initiatives

(pages 2 and 3 of this document contain full descriptions of each Town Initiative)

Growth Management

  Long Range Water Resources

Housing Program

Comprehensive Planning

Land Use Plan

Environmental Concerns

Infrastructure and Level of Service Standards

Fiscal Plan

Water, Wastewater, Transportation Infrastructure

Broad Band Technology Services

Long Term Financial Plan

Performance Measurement

Short Term Financial Planning

Review Operations

Cost Consciousness and Sustained Service Provision

Public Involvement

Departmental Goals and Initiatives

1

1

 

1

1

1

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL GOALS AND INITIATIVES

Legal Services

1. Include a wide range of legal matters such as litigation, real estate transactions, personnel matters, drafting legal documents and Town ordinances, voter approval of and issuance of general obligation bonds, workers compensation claims, claims by private citizens against the Town, enforcement of Town regulations, drafting and reviewing contracts, and franchising of cable television. 

2. Town attorney serves as legal counsel for Town Council, Town Manager, Town staff and various Boards, Commissions and Committees and attends all Council meetings, Planning and Zoning Board meetings, and Board of Adjustment meetings.

 

 

KEY PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

·          Review ordinances drafted by other departments within thirty days of receipt.

·          Review contracts for the correct format within five working days of receipt.

·          Prepare all legal documents required of Town Attorney’s office for litigation within time frame designated by court.

·          Record and file all legal documents with the court within time frame designated by State statute.

 


 

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES


Performance Measure

Actual

FY 2007

Estimated
FY 2008

Projected
FY2009

% ordinances reviewed within time frame

99%

99%

99%

% contracts reviewed within time frame

99%

99%

99%

% legal documents submitted within time frame designated by court

100%

100%

100%

% documents recorded and filed within time frame of state statute

100%

100%

100%

 

 

 

 

 

KEY WORKLOAD INDICATORS


Workload Indicators

Actual
FY 2007

Estimated         FY 2008

Projected
FY 2009

*Meetings attended

50

50

50

Contracts reviewed or written

250

250

250

**Ordinances reviewed or written

30

30

30

***Land acquisitions

400

400

400

Enforcement cases

25

50

50

Board of Adjustment (BOA) cases

5

5

5

* Town Council meetings, Planning and Zoning Board meetings, Board of Adjustment, Special Sessions, and Work Sessions   only – does not include meetings with staff, citizens, attorneys, or committees.

** Ordinances were less in FY 2004 because they were being held to be a part of a completely recodified code.

*** Includes easements beginning with FY 2005

 

 

ACTIVITY HISTORY

Fund Number:  10-4140

 

Activity

Actual

FY 2005

Actual

FY 2006

Actual

FY 2007

Estimated
FY 2008

 

Budget

FY 2009

Personnel Services

 

$343,029

$299,429

 

$315,378

$330,665

 

$339,373

 

Operations and Maintenance

 

$73,068

$150,755

 

$190,816

$231,684

 

$240,304

 

Capital Outlay

 

0

0

0

0

 

0

 

Total

 

$416,097

$450,184

$506,194

$562,349

$579,677

Authorized FTEs

3

3

3

3

3

 

 

SIGNIFICANT BUDGET AND SERVICE LEVEL CHANGES BEYOND CURRENT LEVELS

No significant service changes are planned for FY 2009.