Group manager business support Saskia Righarts said the council did not have an in-house general counsel to provide legal advice but used several legal firms in Central Otago and Dunedin.
Many councils, including Queenstown District Council and Dunedin City Council, employ their own legal staff.
Dr Righarts said the council had been using commercial law firms in Central Otago and Dunedin for legal advice.
The general counsel would review policies and commercial contracts and act as a clearing house prior to seeking specialist legal advice.
While the council was recruiting the final salary package would not be revealed, but it had been included in the current annual plan, she said.
In the past three years, the council had spent $1,355,177.86 on legal advice — $427,231.83 in 2022, $461,502.47 in 2023 and $466,443.56 in 2024.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said during the annual plan submissions one of the things people asked was that the council stopped spending money on consultants.
The cost of using legal firms for advice fell under the consultants budget and was paid at law-firm rates, he said.
Legal advice was needed in various areas including employment, environment and resource management.
The general counsel, or in-house lawyer, could also prepare work that had to go to specialist firms. That would save time and therefore costs.
While it did add a role to the council staff, it would be a cost saving in the long run, Mr Cadogan said.
