City hires attorney to manage Drumm firing

An independent attorney was selected Tuesday by the High Springs City Commission to oversee the process of terminating Jim Drumm’s city manager contract.

During the special meeting Tuesday afternoon, commissioners agreed to appoint Scott Walker to provide legal counsel to the City throughout the proceedings to terminate the contract, particularly in reviewing what severance or settlement to which Drumm may be entitled.

The meeting was held at the request of Mayor Bill Coughlin, who made the motion to fire Drumm during the City’s final budget meeting several weeks ago.

City attorney Tom Depeter was not present at Tuesday’s meeting because he was on vacation, Coughlin said.  He was expected to return to town later this week, but as of Wednesday he could not be reached for comment.

During the meeting, Coughlin said he didn’t think Depeter would be offended or mind having Walker’s assistance because of Walker’s experience and because of Depeter’s position and his working relationship with Drumm.

Coughlin didn’t elaborate further.

The estimated cost for Walker’s services is about $2,500.

Commissioner Larry Travis voiced a concern regarding where that money would come from, but Coughlin said it would probably come from the city’s general fund, but that is yet to be determined.

Coughlin then suggested that he act as a representative for the commission, to meet with the attorneys to discuss Drumm’s contract, rather than conducting public meetings with the whole commission.

Coughlin suggested the other commissioners could contact the attorneys to stay up to date with the process.

After the commissioners agreed to Coughlin’s proposal, he also urged them not to discuss anything pertaining to the matter with the media and not to make any public statements for the time being.