Council committee recommends $80,000 Frost Brown Todd contract for legal services

The Common Council of the City of Lawrence, Indiana, committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full council approve a professional services contract with Frost Brown Todd LLP for legal services billed at a flat fee of $80,000 for services in February 2025.

Councilor Chavis, finance chair, read Resolution No. 3 2025, saying the council “desires to enter into a professional services contract for certain legal services to be provided by Frost Brown Todd LLP” and that the firm’s anticipated fees “will be billed at a flat fee of $80,000 for services included in the flat fee arrangement in 02/2025.” Chavis added, “So there is no increase in the fees, and they do intend, if we approve this, to provide the same level of service that they provided in 02/2024.”

The resolution cites Lawrence Code 1-1-2-12, which requires council approval before payment on contracts that exceed $50,000 in a fiscal year. Committee members asked no substantive questions during the discussion. Councilor Jennings moved to recommend the resolution to the full council; Councilor Kron seconded. The committee approved the recommendation by a show of hands; the presiding officer declared the vote unanimous.

The committee’s action was a recommendation to the full Common Council; final approval and any subsequent payment must occur at a full council meeting in accordance with the cited local code. No amendments, conditions, or further direction to staff were recorded during the committee discussion.

The committee adjourned after taking the vote. The recommendation will appear on a future full Common Council agenda for final consideration and any required formal authorization for payment.