HARLINGEN — The city is considering hiring a law firm to replace City Attorney Richard Bilbie.
Tomorrow, city commissioners are expected to meet in closed session to discuss the appointment of Ricardo Navarro and the law firm of Denton, Navarro, Rocha, Bernal, Hyde & Zech.
City Manager Dan Serna has recommended the city appoint Navarro’s firm to replace Bilbie, who will retire next month.
“They’re a very qualified firm,” Serna said yesterday. “They’re highly experienced in municipal areas.”
The city contracts Navarro’s firm for civil service work, collective bargaining and municipal court legal services, Serna said.
“Ric Navarro and his firm have been providing legal services for the city on an ad-hoc basis for several years, so it’s a seamless transition for them to come in in a full-time role,” Mayor Chris Boswell said.
A search for a city attorney led to proposals from Navarro’s firm and the San Antonio-based firm of Langley & Banack, said Efren Fernandez, the city’s human resources director.
A committee made up of Serna, Fernandez and Assistant City Managers Gabriel Gonzalez and Carlos Sanchez gave Navarro’s firm the highest ranking, officials said.
Serna said Navarro’s firm offers the city the chance to cut down on contracting law firms for legal services.
Navarro declined comment until after his meeting with commissioners.
Bilbie, who earns a salary of $130,687, was hired under then-City Attorney Brendan Hall in 2007.
Bilbie was appointed city attorney in 2014 following the resignation of then-City Attorney Roxann Cotroneo.
