Discuss, consider and take appropriate action regarding the engagement of the law firm of Nossaman, LLP to represent Williamson County in relation to Case No. 1:19-CV-01607; Center for Biological Diversity v. David Bernhardt et al.; In the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; and exemption of these services from the competitive bid/proposal requirements of the County Purchasing Act pursuant to the discretionary exemption for personal or professional services, as set forth under Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code § 262.024(a)(4).

On or about June 3, 2019, the Center for Biological Diversity, an activist organization based in Tucson, AZ, filed suit naming David Bernhardt in his capacity as Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the "Service"). The lawsuit requests declaratory relief to require the Service to designate critical habitat in regard to the Georgetown and Salado salamanders as a part of administrative and statutory compliance under the Endangered Species Act.

The purpose of this Court action is to provide Williamson County and its citizens a "voice at the table" in any considerations of critical habitat designations.