Summit Law Group, a professional limited liability company, has provided labor and employment advice to the Snohomish Health District since 1998. Summit Law Group has provided labor and employment advice, coordinated with the District’s bargaining agents, and provided annual training sessions. Additionally, the firm coordinates and helps conduct all collective bargaining sessions and represents the District in grievance arbitration and other related litigation in coordination with Enduris. Rod Younker has been the principle attorney providing employment law advice and representation as early as 1994.

The current contract (Exhibit A) expires on December 31, 2018, and may be extended two additional two-year terms. The contract states: “Upon at least thirty (30) days period to the conclusion of each period of performance, the District shall notify the contractor of its intentions in writing regarding exercising the two-year option period(s).” The rates may increase as noted in Section 3 of the contract. 

Both the Administration and the Executive Committees approved the Administrator to notify Summit Law of the Health District’s intent to exercise the two-year extension. The committees requested that staff contact Summit Law regarding the rate change for the new term. Summit Law indicated there will be an average of a 7% increase to attorney rates for the new contract term (Exhibit B). The rate for the unlimited labor advice will stay the same at $18,000 per year. Included in Exhibit C are Summit Law’s charges for 2017 and to-date for 2018.

Upon Board approval, the Administrator will notify Summit Law in writing that the Health District extends the contract from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2020, with the new rates in place for the new term.

Consistent with Resolution 11-36 (12/13/11) and SHD’s “Division of Responsibilities,” the Board of Health retains contract approval authority for all contracts for legal services.

MOVE TO authorize the Administrator to notify Summit Law of the Health District’s intent to exercise a two-year extension option for labor and employment legal services for the period of Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2020.