McGill Aviation – City begins totaling cost to failed attorney fee appeal

Submitted by

City of Fernandina Beach Airport

Susan Hardee Steger

After the City of Fernandina Beach failed in its attempt at the 1st District Court of Appeals to receive relief from McGill Aviation attorneys’ fees, city staff is busy calculating the cost of the city’s appeal.

According to city attorney Tammi Bach, early reports indicate a total cost of $85,700 of which $80,000 is interest due to McGill Aviation and approximately $5,700 payable to the city’s legal counsel. (The cost of legal counsel during the appeal process is estimated at  $30,000 of which 81% will be paid by the city’s insurer.)  An unknown cost factor that will increase the city’s total obligation is the fee to be charged by McGill Aviation legal counsel for legal services provided during the appeal.

The lawsuit filed by McGill Aviation began in 2004. “The city is glad it is finally over,” says Bach who was hired after the lawsuit was filed.  “A chapter in the life of the city is now closed,” says city manager Joe Gerrity.  Almost 1.4 million dollars has been set aside by the city to pay for the judgement following Judge Brian Davis’ initial ruling on the case.

July 27, 2012 4:01 p.m.