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Commission strikes consent item 8 amid concern over court-appointed attorney rates

Utah County Commission · November 26, 2025
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Summary

Commissioners removed consent item 8 (an appellate legal services contract) after discussion about court-appointed attorneys charging higher rates than the county's standard; the motion to strike passed by voice vote.

At Wednesday—s Utah County Commission meeting, commissioners debated a court-appointed appellate legal services contract and voted to strike consent item 8 from the consent agenda.

County staff explained the court appoints from a list of qualified attorneys and that IDC reimbursement for appointment-related expenses requires a standing contract with the county. Staff said some court-appointed attorneys will not accept the county—s standard contract rate; one attorney requested a higher hourly rate. A commissioner raised concern that approving a higher rate in a public meeting could set a precedent and noted the optics of one appointed attorney being paid more than others.

After discussion about whether the county could ask the court to require the appointed attorney to accept the county rate or have the attorney decline the appointment so the court would appoint someone on the county—s contract list, an unidentified commissioner moved to strike item 8 from the consent agenda and a second was recorded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote.

The commission did not record a roll-call vote or list names in the public transcript; the meeting record shows the item was removed from the consent agenda for further handling.