Approve first amendment to Agreement No. 22-210 with Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group to increase the amount by $250,000 for a maximum compensation of $610,000, to assist Consumer Fraud/Environmental Protection Division, authorize the District Attorney to sign amendment on behalf of Yolo County and adopt budget resolution increasing the DA's budget by $245,000. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Reisig)

The District Attorney's Consumer Fraud/Environmental Protection Division has been entering into an agreement with Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group since fiscal year 2018/19.  This partnership began at a time when Consumer Fraud/Environmental Protection was very short-handed while handling large cases.  The partnership has continued as many of these cases are still ongoing and with their expert knowledge on these cases, it is crucial for them to remain involved until these cases concluded.  

On August 30, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved Agreement No. 22-210 with Aqua Terra Aeris in the amount of $360,000.

The Yolo County District Attorney is asking to amend Agreement No. 22-210 by increase the agreement to $610,000 (an increase of $250,000).  

On one specific case, between June and November 2022, there were many unanticipated court rulings and defense motions.  The trial for this case lasted longer than anticipated and the Court gave each party a month to prepare their closing arguments.  All of this has created additional legal services from Aqua Terra Aeris that were not factored into the original lifetime maximum amount and why it is necessary to increase this agreement by $250,000 to a maximum amount of $610,000.    

County Counsel has reviewed and signed amendment and budget resolution 

No competitive bid