The Delavan City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve Mayor Adam White’s recommendation to retain the McGrath Law Firm—based in Morton and Mackinaw—as the city’s new legal counsel. The decision fills the vacancy left after former City Attorney William Connor resigned last month following closed‑door deliberations by the council.

The cost of the new firm drew attention during the meeting. Alderman Douglas Bury asked for clarification on the firm’s hourly rates and expressed concern after learning the city will be billed between $180 and $265 per hour, depending on which member of the firm handles the work.

“Just so everybody knows, we were paying Bill’s team $75 an hour, so this is a substantial increase,” Bury said. Under the new arrangement, Delavan will pay more than double for paralegal services alone compared to what it previously paid for attorney time under Connor’s contract. “You get what you pay for,” White said, noting the firm’s broader resources and municipal experience.

Despite the higher cost, no aldermen opposed the hiring. Several members indicated that the city’s recent administrative challenges—including the prospect of a new TIF district and infrastructure issues—made it important to secure reliable legal support.

The council did not discuss the circumstances surrounding Connor’s departure, which occurred after an executive session last month. The McGrath Law Firm is expected to begin work immediately, including advising the city on ongoing personnel and governance matters.