SUBJECT
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Approve and authorize payment of invoice from the Maldonado Law Firm, P.A., for Appellate Code Enforcement Special Magistrate services rendered in connection with the Special Magistrate Hearings conducted in April 2026 (one-time payment of $695.00)
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DESCRIPTION
On July 15, 2025, the Board approved an Appellate Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Agreement with the Maldonado Law Firm, P.A. (the "Law Firm"), for the purpose of appointing David Maldonado, Esquire, to hear and issue rulings on appeals to code enforcement cases that have been decided by the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate.
Section 3 of the Agreement provides that the County shall compensate the Law Firm at the rate of $100 per hour for actual time spent at hearings, and additionally, shall pay the Law Firm $100 per hour for actual time spent by the Appellate Special Magistrate for tasks completed outside of hearings, with a cap of 3 hours per case for time spent outside of hearings. Tasks spent outside of hearings would include such items as reviewing the record of the previous special magistrate hearing, preparing orders, and ruling on motions filed in the matter. Based on the 3-hour cap, the maximum amount of compensation paid under the Agreement for time spent outside of hearings on any particular case is $300.
As evidenced by the attached invoice, from March 24, 2026 through May 15, 2026, the Law Firm provided appellate special magistrate services for tasks completed pursuant to their Special Magistrate Agreement with the County. The invoice and attached time sheet details 5.65 hours of service provided outside of the April 15th hearing, culminating in 7.25 hours once "prepped and attended hearings" for April 15th is included.
The Board recognizes the significant benefit and value to the public of the Law Firm providing the appellate special magistrate services in this case. Accordingly, the Board elects to waive the 3-hour cap contained in the Agreement in this par...
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