The Butler County commissioners are poised to hire an attorney to defend the county against a sex discrimination and retaliation complaint.

The commissioners on Monday set the agenda for the voting meeting Wednesday. Among the agenda items will be a motion to hire Butler attorney Armand Cingolani for $135 an hour.

Chief county clerk Amy Wilson earlier this month filed the complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Although the county has received only a notice of the complaint — not the details — Commissioner Jim Eckstein reiterated Wilson is alleging he engaged in inappropriate behavior toward her.

Eckstein said the commissioners will vote on whether to hire Cingolani because county solicitor Mike English believes there would be a conflict of interest for him to defend the county against Wilson’s complaint.

English declined to comment during the meeting. When asked after the meeting, Wilson also said she could not speak on the matter.

The special counsel already retained for use by the county when deemed necessary — attorney Doug Linn and the law firm of Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter & Graham — also were ruled out.

Linn is representing county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton in a defamation lawsuit against Eckstein, posing a potential conflict of interest.

Eckstein said Dillon McCandless also couldn’t be used, alluding to its supposed political ties. According to Eckstein, Cingolani would be objective.

“He’s not connected politically,” Eckstein said.

King declined to respond to Eckstein’s remarks about political ties.

“I wouldn’t want to comment on it,” King said in an interview.

However, King did say Cingolani was qualified.

“Armand’s a fine lawyer,” King said.

Eckstein said all three commissioners agreed Cingolani was an acceptable alternative.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, did not refute Eckstein’s statements, saying the rationale for the hiring was explained.

By the nature of the complaint, at least one commissioner would be the alleged culprit because Wilson reports directly to the board.

Of the three county heads, only Eckstein has had problems with Wilson before.

She previously filed an internal complaint with county human resources against him in 2013, alleging sex discrimination.

The Pittsburgh firm Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, which investigated the internal complaint for the county, concluded there was insufficient evidence of discrimination.

However, the report did indicate Eckstein’s general conduct left the county susceptible to possible legal action.

Eckstein maintains he is innocent of any discrimination or other wrongdoing.