San Benito to search for city attorney

SAN BENITO - City commissioners today are expected to launch a search for a new city attorney in a move to cut costs, officials said.

Commissioners will search for a lawyer to replace City Attorney Jesus Ramirez, who has worked as the city's legal counsel for about 15 years.

Ramirez, who charges $175 an hour, bills the city for travel time between his McAllen office and City Hall, City Manager Manuel Lara said.

"There are so many good attorneys in our area. I'd like to see what their rates are and try to find someone here in San Benito, if it's possible." Lara said.

Mayor Joe Hernandez said commissioners will consider Ramirez's experience when they review proposals.

"We're very pleased with everything he's done for the city," Hernandez said. "We're going to look at (that) and compare them with what we have."

Ramirez declined comment beyond saying,
"We serve at the pleasure of the city council and obviously we appreciate when they hire us and when they no longer need our services, we move along."

Lara said he's revising the city's $9.6 million general fund budget to cut spending.