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.