County counsel explains mix of hard-copy law books and LexisNexis online access
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Summary
County Counsel Bruce Bergen told commissioners the county still purchases paperback law volumes for convenience in meetings and fieldwork, while most legal research is done through LexisNexis online subscriptions; the counsel said the paperback volumes are updated and replaced annually.
County Counsel Bruce Bergen told the Board of County Commissioners that while much legal research is done through LexisNexis, the county continues to buy paperback law volumes because they are convenient for quick reference and are updated annually.
"If you look at number 2, that's LexisNexis, and that actually is online, legal research. The items in number 1, GAN law books, those are generally paperback versions of a particular section of the law, and they're easier to grab if you need what we have, a book with just 40 and 40 a, which control local government. We have one for civil litigation. So those are replaced every year as they're updated," Bergen said.
A commissioner asked whether purchasing the hard copies was statutorily required and whether the county could rely entirely on online resources; Bergen said the paperback volumes are used because they are inexpensive and convenient for meetings and off-site work. He added staff primarily uses LexisNexis for legal research.
Why it matters: The county's recurring expenditures on legal materials reflect operational costs in the county attorney's office and inform budget discussions. Bergen described the purchases as routine and aimed at operational efficiency rather than legal obligation.
Next steps: County Council presented three resolutions for the board's consideration; commissioners did not challenge the explanation at the agenda-setting session.