Step 1: Contextual Framework Pass (Facts)

Section Content:

Facts:
A state law requires that every municipality have a municipal engineer whose duties and compensation are to be fixed by a municipal ordinance.
The duties of the municipal engineer vary by size and nature of the municipalities but generally consist of attending meetings of public bodies of the municipality, providing general advice on engineering matters, maintaining tax maps, reviewing site plans and subdivision maps, preparing cost estimates for proposed facilities, handling complaints from citizens on engineering-related problems (drainage, roads, and the like), and advising on the retention of consultants for project requirements.
Many of the smaller communities in the state do not have and cannot afford full-time municipal engineers or supporting staff personnel for a full-time office.
In such instances the smaller communities retain the services of a consulting firm in private practice and appoint a principal of the firm as the municipal engineer.
Such a municipal engineer is paid either on a cost-plus basis or a flat monthly retainer-usually a relatively low amount.
The municipal engineer's firm is thereafter usually retained for engineering services for capital improvement projects needed by the municipality.