Green Park has appointed a prosecuting attorney July 18 following a St. Louis County Municipal Court decision to no longer provide prosecution for municipalities.

The Board of Aldermen approved Engelmeyer & Pezzani as its new prosecuting attorney at the recommendation of Mayor Tim Thuston. The firm’s proposal features a 60-day notice for either party to leave the contract and will cost the city $150 an hour. 

“Good firm, been around a long time, prices are well in line and they’re highly respected and highly regarded,” Thuston said. 

The city received four bids for prosecuting services, all with different pay structures. City Attorney Paul Rost said all of the firms were highly recommended, but Engelmeyer could work better for the city if the attorneys are already in court handling another city’s business.

The county court will continue to provide actual court services to municipalities without their own courts, but will no longer provide its own prosecutors for cases. 

The board later approved an ordinance to retain the county municipal court for all services besides prosecution for half of the cost — a number the city isn’t sure of. 

“The county is either unwilling or unable to provide us with how much money we should expect from this. I have no idea how much half is, they won’t tell me,” City Administrator James Mello said. 

Thuston said if the cost ends up being too high, the city can change its participation in the future.