Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 2.09 Retention of Outside Council by the Inspector General

The City Attorney, or his or her designee, may serve as a resource to the Inspector General to assist the Inspector General in all legal matters pertaining to his/her office.

The Inspector General can seek the retention of outside counsel to provide legal advice for investigations to be conducted by the Office of the Inspector General. If the Inspector General requests outside legal counsel, the City Attorney shall: approve an expenditure for such outside legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 per his/her delegated authority, issue an Engagement Letter indicating the approved budget amount as a public record, ensure the outside legal firm has executed a Legal Services Agreement, and incorporate any outside counsel expenditures incurred by the Inspector General into the public quarterly expenditure reports to City Council in compliance with the City's Outside Counsel Policy. If the Inspector General requests to use an outside law firm that is not on the City's approved panel of outside counsel due to potential conflicts of interest, the Inspector General shall request and City Council shall add the law firm requested by the Inspector General to the City's approved panel to ensure independence. Any proposed budget for outside counsel to advise on an investigation that exceeds $25,000.00 must be approved by City Council and such approval cannot be withheld unless the proposed budget is excessive. If the Inspector General determines that three or more members of the City Council may be or are the subject of an investigation to be conducted by the Office of the Inspector General which would prevent City Council from having a quorum to approve a proposed budget for outside counsel, the City Manager can approve an expenditure in excess of $25,000.00 for outside legal counsel to advise on investigations to be conducted by the Inspector General.

(Ord. 7751, § 3, 2025)