City officials finalized contracts with attorneys for various boards, councils and commissions in 2026.
Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety members renewed annual contracts for five different attorneys that provide their legal expertise to the city, as is customary before the year is out.
Hourly rates for litigation remain the same from last year at $150 per hour, according to city documents, and salary amounts were bumped up 2.7% to account for cost of living adjustments.
The legal contracts are from Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026. The group helps oversee various city boards, providing legal advice on matters ranging from planning to redevelopment.
The contract terms are the following:
- Alex Whitted, of Whitted Law LLC, corporation counsel and the city’s chief legal adviser: $79,162.
- Jeff Rocker, of Beck Rocker, city council attorney: $64,084.
- Austin Whitted, of Whitted Law LLC, deputy city attorney: $44,964.
- Mary Stroh, of Sharpnack Bigley Stroh & Washburn, LLP, assistant city attorney: $26,978.
- Michael DeArmitt, of Michael P. DeArmitt – Attorney at Law, assistant city attorney: $38,540.
Austin Whitted is responsible for plan commission, the city board of zoning appeals, Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and The Commons Board.
DeArmitt, for his part, will serve the parks board, parking commission and insurance review commission.
Stroh will provide counsel for the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, Columbus Animal Care Services, the community police review board, human rights commission and aviation board.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission and aviation board have separate legal services contracts with Stroh that are paid for by the respective commission/board. Redevelopment last week finalized an agreement to pay Stroh $45,877 in 2026.
Stanley Gasmo, who provides services for the Columbus Utilities (CCU) board, also has a similar separate agreement.
