Municipal Legal Services

The City of Salem, Missouri, a fourth class city, requests letters of interest, statements of qualifications and fee proposals from qualified Missouri attorneys and law firms to provide City Attorney and municipal ordinance prosecution services beginning January 1, 2027. The current City Attorney will assume the elected office of Dent County Prosecutor on that date. The City intends to select a successor in December and arrange an orderly transition.

The City prefers proposals based on fixed monthly compensation for ongoing City Attorney and municipal ordinance prosecution services, rather than hourly billing for routine services. The City seeks predictable legal costs and ready access to counsel for routine City business. Any services proposed for separate billing should be clearly identified.

General municipal counsel

Provide timely, independent legal advice to the City as the organizational client. Advise the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, City Administrator and other City officials acting in their official roles in accordance with the Code of Ordinances of the City of Salem. Coordinate routine assignments and budget tracking through the City Administrator.

Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, procurement documents, leases, deeds, easements, franchises, intergovernmental agreements and development agreements. Identify legal risks, explain available options in plain language and provide written opinions when requested. Review proposed Board agenda materials in time for staff to address legal issues before meetings.

Meetings and availability

Provide for attendance at Board of Aldermen meetings in accordance with Section 115.460 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Salem. Other board, commission and committee attendance will be scheduled as needed.

Municipal ordinance prosecution

Provide charging review, complaint preparation, prosecution, court appearances, trials, motions, discovery and required disclosures, witness preparation, case disposition and appeals as authorized. Coordinate with police, code enforcement personnel and court staff while exercising independent professional judgment. Salem ordinance cases are heard in the Dent County Associate Circuit Court under Section 125.010 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Salem.

Litigation and specialized representation

Handle authorized civil proceedings and administrative matters, preserve deadlines, notify the City promptly of claims and coordinate with insurers and appointed defense counsel. Obtain required City authorization before new litigation, appeals, settlements or retention of outside counsel.

Submission

Submit a letter of interest of no more than two (2) pages and a statement of qualifications of no more than five (5) pages. Submit one signed printed original and one searchable PDF on a thumb drive, enclosed in a sealed envelope marked "RFQ — Municipal Legal Services." Deliver to the Office of City Clerk at the address on the cover. **FAXED OR EMAILED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.** Late responses will be rejected and logged.

Public opening is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. that same day at the Old City Hall, Auditorium, 202 N. Washington Street.

Selection

The City will review qualifications, references, service approach, conflicts, availability and cost. Two or three finalists are expected to be interviewed using common questions and comparable cost assumptions. Rating criteria total 100 points: past performance with similar municipal work (25), understanding of Salem's legal needs and service approach (25), experience and qualifications of assigned attorneys (25), ability to respond and provide backup coverage (15), community awareness and relevant local knowledge (5), accessibility of lead attorney and staff (5).

Proposals must remain valid for 90 days after closing. Automatic annual increases are not accepted unless expressly authorized in a lawful final agreement and compensation action.