Commission Meeting Agenda Item

In July 24, 2020, Town Manager Kristen Kollgaard received a letter of resignation from Ms. Valerie Fuchs, Esquire, who has been serving as the Special Magistrate for Code Enforcement hearings for the Town of Lady Lake. The effective date of the resignation was Wednesday, August 26, 2020, and the last meeting over which Ms. Fuchs presided was held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. She had served as the Town’s Special Magistrate since July 7, 2005.

Within her letter of resignation, Ms. Fuchs recommended that the Town contact Mr. Ashley Hunt of the Hunt Law Firm to inquire about him assuming the role of the Special Magistrate. On August 11, 2020, Growth Management Director Thad Carroll contacted the firm to discuss the availability of Mr. Hunt, or one of his associates, to serve in the role of the Special Magistrate.

Following that conversation, Mr. Hunt forwarded a letter to Mr. Carroll expressing the firm’s interest in the post, as well as a brief background of the firm and the credentials of Mr. Joshua E. Bills, Esquire, who would be the intended associate that would fill the position. Mr. Bills was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, and currently serves as the Special Magistrate for the Town of Monteverde, in addition to doing other local government work in Lake and Sumter Counties.

At this time, the Hunt Law Firm, P.A. has agreed to enter into a contract with the Town of Lady Lake to provide Code Enforcement Special Magistrate services. The contract is written with the same terms and conditions, including the same rate of pay, as the prior contract between the Town and Ms. Fuchs. Staff recommends approval of the contract as presented.