Committee On County Officers and Departments
MINUTES: MONDAY September 13, 2004
COD MEMBERS: Vito Pinto, Chair, George Latimer, Robert Astorino,
Ethics Waiver – Patricia Higgins:
The meeting convened at 4:10pm
The Committee convened to discuss the ethics waiver for Patricia Higgins who retired as a Deputy County Attorney on 6/21/04.
Ms. Higgins is requesting a waiver so that she may be able to work as a consultant to help the County with its Child Fatality Review.
Legislator Pinto asked Ms. Higgins why the County should retain her services as opposed to hiring another attorney to handle Child Fatality Reviews.
Ms. Higgins stated that she is very familiar with the subject matter and it would take someone else a longer time to get up to speed.
Legislator Astorino asked what her final salary was as the Deputy County Attorney. Mr. Astorino also asked if her old position had been filled since her departure and if so how much does that person make.
Ms. Higgins said she earned $108,000 and was not aware if her position had been filled. William Randolph stated that he would find out the answers to Legislator Astorino’s questions.
Mr. Astorino asked Ms. Higgins what her hourly rate would be and how long does the typical case last.
Ms. Higgins stated that her hourly salary would be $175 an hour and the lengths of the cases vary, it might take three days a month.
Legislator Latimer after hearing Ms. Higgins comments and reviewing her paper work stated that he did not have a problem with the waiver. Legislator Latimer noted that he would be more concerned if her employment with a company that has or had dealings with the County might give them an upper hand in the procurement procedure. However, since that is not the case in this particular scenario, Legislator Latimer had no objections to the waiver of Ms. Higgins.
On the motion of Legislator Latimer, seconded by Legislator Astorino, the motion to approve the waiver for Patricia Higgins was approved (3-0).
Legislator Pinto thanked Ms. Higgins for her appearance and noted that her item would be voted on during the Board meeting of September 14, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30pm.
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