WHITE SPRINGS, Fla. — The White Springs Town Council approved hiring Darren Elkind to represent staff during a special meeting Aug. 23.

Town manager Stacy Tebo recommended Elkind out of a pool of four proposed attorneys because he has additional certification in civil trial law and was the second lowest cost to the town at a rate of $250 per hour.

The council approved hiring Elkind by a 3-2 vote with Walter McKenzie and Helen Miller dissenting.

The council decided at its Aug. 8 meeting to hire an attorney for the upcoming hearing in regards to the forfeiture of Miller’s seat on the council. No date has been set for that hearing.

Miller requested the hearing June 26 after the council voted at its June 13 meeting to declare her seat forfeited. That followed Town Manager Stacy Tebo calling Miller a “rouge councilwoman” at the May 9 meeting for not going through the town manager to purchase supplies and equipment.

The purpose of the hearing is for Miller to provide evidence in opposition of the council’s decision to declare her seat forfeited. The hearing will be in front of the other council members, who will then decide if the evidence was sufficient to overturn that decision.

In addition to Elkind, the council also considered Cindy Laquidara, Wayne Flowers and Lonnie Groot at Wednesday’s meeting. Laquidara charges $350 per hour, Flowers $295 per hour and Groot $225 per hour.

All four attorneys are certified in city, county and local government.