The village of Fredonia has put out a Request for Proposals on legal counsel.

The request on the village website seeks “Sealed proposals for additional legal counsel… by Friday, Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. for consideration.”

The item continues, “The village is seeking a law firm and/or individual services for law services familiar with contract negotiations and municipal law.”

The post offers some background. “The village operates using the services of a law firm to handle all our legal needs. We would like to name additional law firms and/or lawyers to include on our vendor list to use as necessary.”

Applicants are asked to share their proposed hourly costs, experience with municipalities and contract negotiations, and a breakdown of any other fees the village might be responsible for.

Several contracts for village employees are ending this year and Village Hall is evidently seeking help in renegotiating them.

Fredonia’s current law firm of record, Webster Szanyi out of Buffalo, has had little to no apparent presence at Village Hall after officials denied its request for a pay hike last summer.

In 2021, the firm hit the jackpot, earning $223,762 while working for the village. According to officials, that number went down to $62,000 in 2022. Law fees were budgeted for $75,000 in 2023 and $105,000 in 2024.