A report on

the benefits and disadvantages of hiring an in-house attorney for Peachtree

City was presented to the City Council last week.

Local attorney

Murray Weed, who volunteered to compile the report, said while an in-house

attorney has its perks, it must also be considered that through the city's

current arrangement gives access to 10 different attorneys at Webb, Lindsey,

Collins, Jones and Wade.

That firm provides

legal services and also serves as the city court solicitor for Peachtree

City. Rough estimates indicate the city's fees for legal services and

solicitor services will reach $322,250 this year; an estimated cost for

the first year operating with an in-house attorney would be $381,950,

Weed's report indicates.

Weed said the

only city close to the size of Peachtree City with its own attorney was

Warner Robins. That attorney doesn't serve as the city's chief prosecutor

although the city is pushing a population of 50,000 compared to Peachtree

City's 34,485 population.

Instead of

hiring an in-house attorney, the city could choose to hire a staff attorney

who could also serve as solicitor, Weed said. That person would be available

at a moment's notice and could consult with department heads as necessary,

he added.

But Councilwoman

Annie McMenamin said she felt current appointed city attorney Rick Lindsey

is very accessible whenever needed by city staff.

Weed recommended

that a similar study be performed every few years to determine if the

city's legal needs have changed enough to warrant hiring an in-house attorney.

He also said if the city ever reached a population near 50,000 it might

become a necessity.

Mayor Bob Lenox

said if that was the criteria "we'll never get there."

Council took

no action on the report but Councilman Steve Rapson said he appreciated

Weed's objectivity on the report.

Weed, who has

announced his candidacy for a seat on the City Council, volunteered to

conduct the report after Councilman Dan Tennant questioned the city's

increasing legal bills and whether an in-house attorney would be more

cost efficient.

Weed has previously

served as the in-house county attorney for Lowndes County. Currently as

a senior associate with the Fincher and Hecht law firm he also represents

several municipalities.

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