ROGERS -- Chris Griffin was appointed Tuesday to serve as staff attorney for Rogers.
Griffin, who has been a deputy city attorney, will report to the mayor. He will take over many of the duties formerly handled by the city attorney, including providing legal advice to the mayor.
At A Glance
Staff Attorney
The Rogers staff attorney will have the following duties:
• Act as legal advisor to all city officials, boards, commissions, departments and agencies.
• Review contracts and other legal documents that involve city operations.
• Prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other miscellaneous documents.
• Attend the mayor’s staff meetings.
• Help in the selection of outside legal counsel with expertise in a legal field where the city of Rogers is involved in litigation.
• Be readily accessible to perform research and answer questions and inquiries by department heads that have a management or business decision that requires legal counsel.
• Any other duties as assigned
Source: Staff Report
"I'm grateful the mayor and the City Council have faith in me, and I will continue to serve the city to the best of my ability," Griffin said.
The action came at the end of Tuesday's council meeting. The council approved creating the staff attorney position. The situation will remain until the City Council votes to change it.
Ben Lipscomb, city attorney, will continue to represent the Rogers Water and Sewer Commission, and prosecute misdemeanors in District Court. His salary wasn't impacted by the change. His salary is $148,257 with benefits.
Griffin's salary, with benefits, is $97,146 and will not change.
"I suggested the solution to the mayor," Lipscomb said Wednesday. "We both felt this was the best way to move the city forward."
There has been tension between Lipscomb and Mayor Greg Hines over incidents involving Lipscomb.
Two years ago Lipscomb said Hines had the authority to fire Jerry Hudlow, then city treasurer and finance director. Hudlow filed a wrongful termination suit. The court found in favor of Hudlow, and the city paid him $630,000.
Lipscomb took responsibility for his opinion, which led to the court case.
A special prosecutor was appointed recently to determine if Lipscomb violated state law for impersonating a law enforcement officer, a claim made by a police officer working security at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion. Lipscomb used his city identification to get into a VIP tent to buy his wife a drink during a concert.
Marc McCune, the Crawford County prosecutor appointed to review the case, found Lipscomb didn't violate any law.
Hines held a news conference last month to answer questions about Lipscomb allegedly sharing prescription drugs with a former employee, and a complaint Lipscomb was harassing William Horton, an attorney, via email.
"I take full responsibility for my actions. I regret that what I did had such an impact on the the working relationship I had with the mayor," Lipscomb said Wednesday.
"The impact of any wrongdoings I might have done is greater than I would have imagined, especially the incident at the AMP. I would have thought after 24 years of service to the city, it wouldn't have come to this. I am disappointed," Lipscomb said.
Hines said the move shouldn't have come as a surprise.
"Even the most casual observer should know that this move makes good sense," Hines said.
Hines said he was somewhat surprised Lipscomb suggested the changes.
"It was going to be a complicated situation for the next two years. I was pleased he was willing to make that suggestion," Hines said.
The situation may not be perfect, Hines said, but it solves some issues.
"It accomplishes a majority of my objectives. It's a positive step. It was handled well by all involved. It was the best way it could have been handled, and it was done professionally," Hines said.
Mark Kruger, alderman, said Wednesday the change is a good move.
"Under the circumstances, I think it was the right move for the city," Kruger said.
NW News on 09/25/2014