Wright City aldermen met in executive session last Monday, June 1, and voted 4-0 to end its agreement with Hicks, a Warrenton attorney. Alderman Tom Black made the motion to follow the recommendation of Mayor Roy White. It was seconded by Alderman Jamey Abercrombie. During the same meeting, White recommended hiring Leslie T. Tolliver-Rogers, a private attorney out of Clayton. The board unanimously approved the recommendation. White said there were several reasons for Hicks' dismissal, but declined to discuss specifics other than to say Tolliver-Rogers had a lower rate. Hicks was being paid $90 per hour and through Tuesday he had been paid $8,761.51, according to figures provided by the city. Hicks was paid $14,716.96 in 2008 and around $9,500 in 2007. In the agreement with Tolliver-Rogers approved by aldermen, she will be paid $75 per hour, according to White. Her overall monthly salary is not to exceed $2,500, meaning she could make up to $30,000 annually. Her agreement with the city also allows her to be paid for 1 1/2 hours of travel time per meeting. Tolliver-Rogers' contract with the city runs through May 31, 2010. "We figured it was long overdue," White said. "We wanted to get someone with more experience in municipal ordinances. We are going to go in a new direction and get rid of the special interests." Hicks, who had worked with the city for about 25 years, declined to comment on the situation other than to say he was not aware of the board's intent to make a change. The city had solicited applicants for the position last July, publishing a notice in The Record and on the Missouri Bar Association's Web site. Hicks did not submit an application. Two applicantions were received, including one from Tolliver-Rogers, but the board failed to act on them, according to White. The issue wasn't revisited until last week. "I think we needed someone from out of the area," said Angie Reynolds, who represents Ward 2. Tolliver-Rogers did attend last week's closed session. She currently runs her own practice in Clayton. She previously was an assistant counselor for St. Louis County for a two-year stretch and spent a year as an attorney/lobbyist for then-State Auditor Claire McCaskill. "The application fit all the criteria we were looking for," White said. "The board wanted someone from out of town and reasonably priced. She fit both categories." Tolliver-Rogers' hiring was effective Monday, June 8.