TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Thomson Reuters Order Form Order ID Q-11575016 for Westlaw Electronic Legal Research Services for a 36-Month Term and a Total Cost of $35,644.56.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Thomson Reuters Order Form Order ID Q-11575016 for Westlaw Electronic Legal Research Services for a 36-Month Term and a total Cost of $35,644.56.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Thomson Reuters Order Form Order ID Q-11575016 for Westlaw Electronic Legal Research Services for a 36-Month Term and a total Cost of $35,644.56.
• Pros: Westlaw is practical and efficient for researching. It provides Attorneys and Paralegals access to necessary information. It is up to date with state laws and allows for legal accuracy.
• Cons: Funds expended and not available for use elsewhere.
Option 2: Deny the Thomson Reuters Order Form Order ID Q-11575016 for Westlaw Electronic Legal Research Services for a 36-Month Term and a total Cost of $35,644.56.
• Pros: Funds available for the City to use elsewhere.
• Cons: Attorneys and Paralegals will lose access to this valuable resource at the end of the fiscal year.
Background Information
The City Attorney’s Office utilizes Thomson Reuters’ Westlaw service for electronic legal research. The City is currently party to a three-year contract with Thomson Reuters, entered in 2023. This subscription replaces the existing subscription and will hold the existing pricing through September, then run for a term of three years. It includes rich research features, as well as an additional subscription for the office’s sixth Attorney.
The Thomson Reuters Order Form has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Thomson Reuters Order Form was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on May 18, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
No impact on the current fiscal year.
Charges will be $942.23 per month for the first 12 month period, for a total of $11,306.76.
Charges will be $989.34 per month for the second 12 month period, for a total of $11,872.08.
Charges will be $1038.81 per month for the third 12 month period, for a total of $12,465.72.
The total three-year contract value is $35,644.56.
These amounts have been consistently provided for in the City Attorney’s Office’s annual budget in account 001-0200-514.54-00. Funding is anticipated to be approved in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and will be included in future budget years.
Procurement
This subscription is exempt pursuant to Chapter 2, Administration, Article VII, Procurement, Exemptions, Section 2-403(3)O, which applies to Legal Services.
City Attorney’s Office will utilize the established Procurement Laserfiche process for all purchases under this purchase to ensure continued administrative oversight and compliance with City Policy.
Attachments:
1. Order Form
2. General Terms and Conditions
Prepared by: Rachel Cigich, Business Services Coordinator
Department Director: Michael Fuino, City Attorney