CAIRO — Grady County commissioners seeking possible new legal counsel was a hot topic Tuesday morning. 

County Administrator Carlos Tobar discussed changes to the request for qualification (RFQ) process for seeking legal services. 

“The biggest change is that it has a pricing sheet,” Tobar said, also noting there were minor changes, such as language.  

County attorney Kevin Cauley expressed reservations with the process. 

“I don’t understand the process that you published,” he said. 

Cauley also encouraged commissioners to understand the process before publicizing as it could cause confusion among other attorneys submitting a RFQ. 

“It was certainly confusing to read about,” Cauley added. 

Cauley noted his retainer is for attending regular commission meetings, along with a $250 hourly rate for called meetings and work sessions if commissioners request his attendance. 

“If you need to seek other legal counsel, by all means, you need to do that,” Cauley said. 

Cauley also said because of a contract with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and Grady County, ACCG has to appoint legal council for certain areas, such as employment and mitigation.  

Former commissioner Charles Renaud spoke out against the commission’s process for seeking legal services. A Nov. 27 called meeting, at which the commission conducted a closed session followed by a vote, “appears illegal,” Renaud said. 

Renaud also interrupted the meeting, referring to the county officials putting Cauley “in the pit of misery.” Renaud was escorted out of the meeting.  

Commissioner T.D. David said he was satisfied with Cauley’s legal coverage, but noted the process for seeking legal services was a new approach for Grady County. 

“That’s a positive to me,” David said. 

David also said the commission wanted to get the best service for the best price. 

At the Nov. 27 called meeting, the Grady County Board of Commissioners approved seeking legal services, along with county auditing services, through a request for proposal (RFP) process. At a Dec. 1 called meeting, the commission approved changing to a RFQ process. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.