Cost-saving potential for an in-house attorney

The new Oconee County Council delegated County Administrator Scott Moulder last night with the task of determining the cost-saving potential for hiring an in-house attorney. District Four’s Joel Thrift nominated Tom Martin of Anderson to be reappointed county attorney, but District One’s Edda Cammick said she favors hiring someone who would keep an office in the county administrative complex and retain Martin’s law firm, the McNair firm, for specialized services only. “If you have a common cold, you don’t go to a neurologist,” Cammick said in referring to the legal costs the county has incurred by employing an out of county law firm for legal work. During the discussion, Martin left the meeting room. He told 96.3/WGOG NEWS after last night’s meeting that no one had explained to him what was decided after he returned to the meeting room. Council voted 4 to 1 to study the cost-saving potential for an in-house attorney. District Five’s Reg Dexter cast the lone opposition vote, after refusing to withdraw his motion to second Thrift’s reappointment of Martin. Dexter credited Martin with doing a good job for the county after inheriting what Dexter described as a legal mess in 2009. As for the cost of paying Martin and the prestigious law firm for which Martin works, Dexter said, “You get what you pay for.”