Lincoln in Washington County hires new city attorney

LINCOLN — Steve Zega, the former Washington County attorney, has been hired as the city attorney in Lincoln.

Zega, a graduate of Lincoln High School, served for two years as county attorney and has been the city prosecutor for Lincoln and Prairie Grove.

He was a member of the Washington County Quorum Court from 2001-10. He also has military law experience with the Arkansas Army National Guard. The city will pay Zega $175 per hour.

Zega replaces Steven Parker, who submitted his resignation by email Dec. 7.

Parker said he had been thinking about resigning for a while and decided the end of the year was the right time.

“They didn’t ask me to resign. It was just time,” he said. “I think it was friendly all around.”

Parker began as city attorney for Lincoln and Prairie Grove in 2006. He said he plans to continue as Prairie Grove’s city attorney. Lincoln paid Parker $150 per hour.

Lincoln Mayor Rob Hulse said he talked to three lawyers interested in the position. He presented information to the council about Zega; Audra Bailey, who has law offices in Farmington and Prairie Grove; and Larry Snodgrass, who has a private practice in Lincoln.

“I think we have three somewhat very different candidates,” Hulse said. “They all bring something to the table.”

The council decided to concentrate on Zega and Snodgrass because Bailey did not have as much prosecuting experience as the other two.

Snodgrass was Lincoln City Court judge from 1974-84 and from 2000-12. He also was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Washington County.

“I can personally tell you I’ve watched Larry in the courtroom, and he’s very professional,” Hulse said. “He always has shown respect for everyone he has dealt with.”

Zega was city prosecutor for Lincoln and Prairie Grove from 1994-2003 and from 2006-15. Hulse said Zega’s experience includes working with local government taxation, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, planning, ordinances and policies, and imminent domain.

In discussing the two candidates, council members looked at their prosecuting experience and their experience with city issues. Council members agreed that either would be a good city attorney for Lincoln.