Punta Gorda council votes to seek new city attorney, sends nonrenewal letter to current firm

Punta Gorda City Council voted Wednesday to send a letter of nonrenewal to the current city-attorney firm, opening a formal search for legal services ahead of the contract expiration in July.

City Clerk Sarah Welch and staff explained the April timing requirement: the city must notify the incumbent firm in April if the council intends not to renew the contract that otherwise would automatically extend in July. The council directed staff to issue the nonrenewal notice and proceed with a solicitation for city-attorney services; staff confirmed the request-for-proposals posting closed April 18.

Legal transition: City Attorney David Levinson said that, per council direction, he will continue to serve through his contract period unless council elects to relieve him earlier. Staff also said procurement will present all submitted applications to council and that they will provide copies of the raw applicant materials for transparency.

Why it matters: The city attorney provides legal advice on ordinances, contracts, land-use matters and litigation. Council members said they want to explore alternate service models, including in-house counsel, part-time arrangements or outside-firm options, and emphasized the importance of continuity while a replacement is selected.

Quote: “We are required to send Icard Merrill a letter during the month of April if we would not like to retain the services of Icard Merrill for the next contract term,” City Clerk Sarah Welch explained while summarizing the process.

Ending: Staff said the solicitation will run through April 18; procurement will screen applicants and return qualified candidate lists to council for further review.