Annual Legal Expenses for City Top $1 Million

Thousand Oaks residents pay more than $1 million a year on city legal expenses.

The city’s 2008-09 budget lists the city attorney’s office salaries at $754,631 and an additional $299,196 in fringe benefits. The 2009-10 budget salaries are $875,553 and $317,982 in fringe benefits. The 2010-11 budget salaries are $908,603 and $323,131 in fringe benefits.

The total amount spent by the city on outside counsel for 008-09 and 2009-10 was $409,000.

City Attorney Amy Albano told The Acorn that while routine cases are handled in-house, more complex litigation requires the use of outside counsel. This cost can vary depending on the complexity and volume of lawsuits.