Commissioners defer LexisNexis renewal after staff flags low use and statutory spending limits

Potter County purchasing staff told commissioners on Sept. 28 that a proposed renewal of the county's law-library interlocal (LexisNexis) would cover three terminals at $1,758 per month for 10/01/202609/30/2027 and that use of the terminals has been low this year.

"The terminals have only been utilized 57 times in our current the current year," Allison said, noting the original interlocal had been for two terminals and the current renewal, if signed, would cover three. Commissioners asked whether the county could reduce to one terminal or otherwise change the arrangement, and staff warned that the law-library fund is a statutory allocation from filing fees and is restricted to court-related purposes.

Staff provided a figure of $61,805 collected in law-library fees so far this year; commissioners expressed concern about paying for underused subscriptions and asked staff to return with a list of allowable uses under the statute and options for reducing terminals. The court deferred final action to the next meeting to avoid a potential disruption in service if the agreement lapsed before staff returned with additional information.

The county will research whether the interlocal can be reduced and will report back on statutory constraints and usage-based alternatives before the court signs a renewal or takes other action.