A small municipal like Libby can’t

offer much in terms of salary to bring in outside professionals, so

the Libby mayor and city council are happy that local public

defender Jim Reintsma stepped up to be the new city attorney.

“I feel fortunate that we caught him at

a time where he wants to make a change so he’s willing to take this

on,” councilmember Peggy Williams said.

She added that his experience as a

prosecutor on the district court level will come in handy in

prosecuting misdemeanor city cases. He will have to pick up the

other portion of the job – providing legal advice to the

council.

“The city attorney stuff for the

council is kind of an animal of its own and requires some training

and some time and effort,” she said. “I think he’s willing to do

it, especially if he takes on both cities.”

The council approved Reintsma’s

appointment at last Monday’s city council meeting. He accepted the

city’s offer of $52,000 annual salary, a tremendous pay-cut, with

hopes of picking up the Troy city attorney position, as well.

Current city attorney Heather McDougall

was the only candidate that came forward last year in the fall to

fill the position vacated by Chuck Evans. Libby Mayor Doug Roll

announced in September that she said she would not seek

re-appointment after her contract was up at the end of the

year.