AGENDA #5

February 27, 2002

OFFICE OF THE TOWN ATTORNEY

Initial Budget Presentation to the Mayor and Town Council

2002-2003

I.          Mission Statement:  The Town Attorney’s Office is responsible for protecting the legal interests of the Town of Chapel Hill.

            The primary mission of the Office of the Town Attorney is the protection of the legal interests of the Town of Chapel Hill, providing legal advice to the Mayor and Town Council and, directly or indirectly, to members of the Town staff and Town advisory boards and commissions on matters related to Town business.  This office is responsible for representing Town interests or arranging for that representation in judicial and administrative proceedings.

II.         Brief Services Description

            The key services provided by the department are

            - Advice to the Mayor and Town Council

- Advice to Town Manager and Departments of Town government

- Provision of day-to-day legal services to all departments of Town government

III. Departmental Revenue Estimates:

This department does not generate any revenues but may on occasion collect, through judicial proceedings, moneys owed to the Town.

IV.       Departmental Base Budget Cost Estimates

CATEGORY	2001-2002 Original Budget	2001-2002 Revised Budget	2001-2002 Estimated	2002-2003 Requested	% Increase (Decrease) from Original Budget
Personnel	180,313	186,855	186,855	189,045	4.8%
Operations	30,135	36,765	21,870	33,935	12.6%
Capital Equipment	None	None	None	None	None
TOTAL	210,448	223,620	208,725	222,980	6.0%

V. Key Programs or Services that are Going Well:  Conversion to use of more computer based research tools has reduced our costs for some library materials and the law library is often available as an additional meeting space for use by Town staff. 

VI. Proposed Reductions:  Because of the extreme budget constraints this year, all Department Heads are preparing recommended reductions for consideration by the Manager.