City voids contract

Jose Paul Corona

In a quick reversal the City Council voided a contract with City

Atty. Gail Hutton Monday night that was deemed illegal on a

technicality.

The contract, that would have had Hutton serve as a consultant

following her early retirement at the end of the month, was voided

and in its place a new contract was drawn up naming her interim city

attorney.

The initial contract violated a state law that prevents city

officials from having a financial interest in public contracts they

administer.

Hutton, 65, took advantage of the city’s early retirement plan and

will collect nearly $100,000 annually in retirement pay.

The City Council simply changed the contract to avoid any

potential illegalities, said City Administrator Ray Silver.

“There were some questions raised,� Silver said. “So the city

tried to find an alternative way to compensate her.�

Hutton will be receiving the same amount of money with the second

contract, Silver said.

“I think they changed it because of the threat of a lawsuit,�

Councilman Ralph Bauer said. “It’s the same amount of money, she gets

what she wants to get and moves on.�

Hutton is vacationing in Europe and could not be reached for

comment.