Libby officials renew Fraser's contract

Libby City Council voted overwhelming to renew the municipality’s contract with engineer Mike Fraser on Dec. 6.

The agreement affords a $200 monthly fee for Fraser’s services — he serves as city engineer — beginning in January and ending in June. This retainer fee allows for unlimited consultation by phone or email, according to city documents.

Officials also agreed to pay Fraser, through his firm Fraser Management and Consulting, $200 per hour for additional services, including appearing at city meetings, preparing studies or plan reviews and completing applications.

To embark on work falling into that hourly range, Fraser would first need the signature of either the mayor or city administrator, according to documents.

City Administrator Samuel Sikes said Fraser’s updated rates for 2021 translated into a $10 bump, both on retainer and hourly fees.

“It went up from $190 to $200, so it’s not a substantial increase,” Sikes told city councilors.

Mayor Peggy Williams said that the city usually enters into a yearly contract with Fraser. They opted for a six-month agreement this go-around to align his term of service with the fiscal year, she said.

A few people saw the contract and got worried, she joked.

“Some people were concerned that he’s bailing,” Williams said.