1/17/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

rr ,JAN 7 1989 POCK Therefore, we met with a West representative to check into a computer information service to which a lot of attorneys have subscribed. It is called Westlaw. We feel this equipment would be invaluable to the County for the most up-to-date court decisions and statute amendments, since the information provided on the computer equipment ties into and updates the existing law books in our library. It also seemed that this would be an excellent time to check into purchasing this equipment, since the County has chosen to become partially self insured, and we have money left in our budget from Bill Collins working out of our office. After talking with West, we learned that for a limited time, the first six months of their service is being offered at no charge as an introduction. The only cost would be the attorney's actual "on-line" phone time or a minimum cost of $150 per month. This fee is normally $4.50 per minute for a private attorney; however, since the County is a government agency, the fee wi l l be less than 1/2 of that. Also 'there are several free services West provides, through a toll-free number, so that the attorney can do the background for his research before he actually has to go "on -Line"; thereby keeping the "on-line" time to a minimum. Because our introductory six-month free period would be over in August, before the start of our next fiscal year, the sales representative said that West would agree to let the County keep their loaner equipment until the start of our next fiscal year. Then at that time we would either have to purchase our own PC equipment and use it with their software or purchase their loaner equipment. The equipment from West includes a special keyboard, CRT, and printer, and the total cost to purchase it is $2,465. At the end of our introductory free service, we would have to begin paying $100 per month for the West software subscription plus the minimum monthly "on-line" charge of $150 (which is equal to the cost of one hour of "on-line" phone time). In order to be able to access West's equipment through the County's phone line, we would have to install an outside line now. Lynn Williams checked into this for us, and the cost would be approximately $140, as well as the price of the monthly phone bill. At this time, staff recommends the County authorize this office to proceed to get an outside phone line installed and the Chairman to execute the Westlaw Special Offer contract for the free introductory period, which is attached, so that this office will be able to begin receiving this service. Commissioner Scurlock felt we should anticipate these needs at budget time, and preferred not to have so many of these budget amendments. While he believed the service is a good one and would beicost effective, he just would like to see that happen at budget time rather than getting it just 3 months into the fiscal year. Attorney Vitunac stressed that we have 16 active cases now and that the financial impact of the budget amendment won't be felt until almost October. The first 6 months would be free, and 34