Try looking up the city's charter. Might be something in there.

Conflict of interest - sure. But might not be an illegal conflict of interest.

Besides, as a practical matter, if you are going up against Podunk's good-ole-boy network, local attorneys aren't likely to be interested in bucking the system.

Seen that many times.

I suggest you leave it up to an attorney to find you a cause of action, preferably an attorney located away from your city who isn't tied to the local good-ole-boy network.