RFP Final 12-18-25.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

LEGAL SERVICES OF CORPORATION COUNSEL

December 18, 2025

Prepared by Rusk County Administrative Coordinator www.ruskcounty.org 715-532-2257 http://www.ruskcounty.org/

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Scope of Services

General Government

Zoning and Land Use

Health & Human Services

Employment & Personnel

2. Qualifications

3. Proposal Requirements

4. Term and Compensation

5. Submission Instructions

6. Selection Process

7. Reservation of Rights

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Introduction

Rusk County (“County”) is soliciting proposals from qualified attorneys or law firms to provide corporation counsel services to the County. The County operates under an

Administrative Coordinator form of government pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 59.19 and seeks legal counsel to support the County Board, its committees, elected and appointed officials, and departments in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 59.42 and Rusk County Code of Ordinances Sec. 2-

144.

1. Scope of Services

The selected attorney or firm will serve as Corporation Counsel to Rusk County on a basis, performing the duties outlined in Wisconsin Statutes, County ordinance, and as assigned by the County Board. Services may include, but are not limited to:

General Government

• Provide legal opinions and guidance to the County Board, committees, administrative coordinator, and department heads.

• Draft, review, and interpret ordinances, contracts, resolutions, leases, and policies.

• Required to attend all County Board meetings and such Committee meetings as the County Board and Board Chair deem appropriate.

• Act as parliamentarian for the County Board.

• Provide advice and counsel as to the open meetings and public records law, and other statutes as related to County government, including powers and duties of the Board and County department heads.

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• Represent the County, the County Board, the County’s employees, officers, agents, boards and commissions in civil matters, administrative proceedings, and other legal actions not handled by outside counsel.

• Be responsible for representing the County in all lawsuits involving the County both as a proponent for the County and in defense of the County.

• Required to work with County insurance carriers and their legal counsel in all matter where the insurance carrier is working for the County or on behalf of the

County.

• Keep apprised of changes in laws and regulations, advising applicable departments of such changes.

Zoning and Land Use

• Advise the Zoning and Land Conservation departments on ordinance enforcement, citations, and land use matters.

• Represent the County in zoning appeals and enforcement actions.

• Advise and assist the County Treasurer in instituting actions to foreclose tax liens by action IN REM pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 75.521.

Health & Human Services

• Provide legal support related to statutory proceedings within HHS with the exception of legal services currently provided under separate contracts and/or by the District Attorney’s Office, including but not limited to CHIPS, JIPS, TPR, child support matters and Wis. Stat. Chapters 51, 54, and 55.

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• Represent the County in applicable court proceedings with the exception of

CHIPS, JIPS, TPR, any juvenile court litigation, child support matters and Wis. Stat.

Chapters 51, 54, and 55.

• Coordinate with HHS staff to ensure compliance with state and federal law.

Employment & Personnel

• Shall provide legal guidance and representation to the County on personnel-related matters as requested.

• Advise the Board, committees, Administrative Coordinator and department heads on federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title

VII, and related regulations as issues arise.

• Review and assist with updates to County personnel policies.

• Advise the Personnel Committee on grievance procedures.

• Assist elected officials with understanding their statutory authority and responsibilities regarding their employees.

• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and assist the Personnel Committee in addressing contract disputes or grievances.

• Represent the County or coordinate with outside counsel regarding claims or complaints filed against the County.

The County reserves the right to require additional contract terms and provisions.

2. Qualifications

Respondents must:

• Be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.

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• Have at least five (5) years of experience in municipal or county government law.

• Be able to appear in person at the request of the County Board.

• Demonstrate familiarity with Wisconsin Statutes and administrative code provisions related to core county governance, land use/planning/zoning/environmental issues, Health & Human Services (with the exception of CHIPS/JIPS/TPR/any juvenile litigation/child support/51/54/55), personnel, labor and employment law, law enforcement, finance, procurement, and public works, and open meetings and open records law.

• Have the capacity to provide timely, responsive legal advice to multiple departments.

• Demonstrate knowledge of governmental organization, legislative procedures, and judicial procedures.

• Have a thorough knowledge or parliamentary procedure and experience in providing advice regarding same.

3. Proposal Requirements

Proposals should include:

1. Cover letter summarizing qualifications and interest in serving as Corporation

Counsel for Rusk County.

2. Experience with counties or municipalities in the four identified service areas:

General Government, Zoning and Land Use, Health & Human Services, Employment

& Personnel.

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3. Staffing plan and identification of the primary attorney(s) to perform services in identified service areas.

4. Availability to include board meeting attendance, in-person court appearances, hours per week and expected response time for urgent matters.

5. Fee structure outlining hourly rate or flat monthly retainer, and any travel, ancillary or reimbursable costs to include travel time, meal, and mileage reimbursement, conference attendance or subscriptions to be set at a not-to-exceed monthly or annual fee.

6. References from at least three governmental clients.

4. Term and Compensation

The County anticipates entering into a one-year agreement, renewable annually by mutual consent. The County reserves the right to negotiate compensation based on qualifications and proposed fee structure after submittal of proposals.

5. Submission Instructions

Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM on January 23, 2025. Submit electronically with a subject line “RFP – Corporation Counsel Services” or in a sealed envelope marked “RFP – Corporation Counsel Services” to:

Rusk County Clerk 311 Miner Ave E

Ladysmith, WI 54848 Email: cmeyer@ruskcountywi.gov

Questions may be directed in writing to:

Ashley Heath, Administrative Coordinator Email: aheath@ruskcountywi.gov mailto:cmeyer@ruskcountywi.gov mailto:aheath@ruskcountywi.gov

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6. Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by the Personnel Committee, which will evaluate qualifications and may conduct interviews. A recommendation will be forwarded to the full

County Board for final approval and appointment.

7. Reservation of Rights

Rusk County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, including any portion of a proposal, for any reason at the County’s sole discretion, or to accept the proposal considered most advantageous to the County following final negotiations, evaluations, and review.

If no proposal is selected or the respondents are unable to finalize an agreement with the County, the County reserves the right to advance proposals as they come forward or to select an alternative proposal.

This is a negotiated procurement. Negotiation is a procedure that includes the receipt of a proposal from offerors, permits bargaining, and usually affords an opportunity to revise offers before award of a contract. Bargaining, in the sense of discussion, persuasion, alteration of initial assumption and positions may apply to price, scope of services, qualifications, type of contract or other terms of a proposed contract unless modified terms are prohibited by law.

Award may be made on the basis of the original proposal without negotiations with any offer.