San Angelo's City Council approved another $60,000 contract with Gilbert Consulting for Municipal Court services. Judge Allen Gilbert retired in 2019 to much fanfare. Less publicized was his staying on as a contractor. The item was generically stated on the Closed agenda and had no information in council's background packet.
A public information request produced a memo to council on the item. The memo referenced the item as being on the consent agenda, not in closed session.
This is the first year the Judge's contract was explored in closed session.
City Council has consistently approved Judge Allen Gilbert's consulting agreement. How did the deal became "New" in 2022 from the same City Attorney who initiated the item in 2019?
Update 5-31-22: City Council discussed Municipal Court revenue in today's strategic planning meeting. It's down for the last three years and expected to fall again in the upcoming year. One might expect a consultant to help reverse this trend. If dollars continue to fall significantly can the city afford to keep Judge Gilbert on the vendor rolls?
Update 2-18-23: City Council will consider another contract with Gilbert Consulting for $36,000. Council approved four $60,000 annual contracts since the judge's retirement in 2019. That's a nice $240,000 post retirement gig.
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