Decisions › County Commission meeting of Sep 8, 2026
Approved hiring outside lawyers Roper Townsend Sutphen to represent Lake County in the lawsuit Florida Action Committee, Inc. v. Mark Glass, et al.
The result is from the Clerk's Board ActionThe Clerk's same-week record of what the County Commission decided on each agenda tab. Vote tallies and discussion come later in the Board Minutes. Clerk of Court, Board Action and Board Minutes on Municode. The vote by name appears here when the official minutes are posted, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
Watch this part of the meeting (starts at 0:54:29)
Voted on as part of the consent agendaA group of routine items the Board votes on together with one motion. Any commissioner can pull an item out to discuss and vote on it separately. County Commission agendas (CivicClerk portal); the recording starts at that vote. The county's own recording.
In plain words
A request to hire outside lawyers, Roper Townsend Sutphen, to represent Lake County in a federal lawsuit called Florida Action Committee, Inc. v. Mark Glass, et al.
What changes The County Commission approved hiring the outside law firm to defend the county in the lawsuit.
Who and the money Applies to Lake County as a defendant in the lawsuit; the firm charges $212 per hour and the total cost cannot be determined at this time.
Stated reason (staff, quoted): "Retaining counsel who is coordinating a unified defense across similarly situated local governments will promote efficiency and consistency, reduce duplication, and facilitate a joint response on common issues."
Why (staff, quoted) "Lake County has been named as a defendant in the lawsuit Florida Action Committee, Inc v. Mark Glass, et al, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, Case No. 4:26- cv-003888."
Backup in the packet: Engagement of Services (p. 65)
Written from the Board Action and the staff cover sheet, checked by script: every number appears in the record. Staff memo
From the record
Request from County Attorney to recommend approval to authorize the retention of outside counsel, Roper Townsend Sutphen, to represent Lake County in Florida Action Committee, Inc. v. Mark Glass, et al. The fiscal impact cannot be determined at this time.Clerk of Court, Board Action, Sep 8, 2026, page 3. Open the official document
The rest of this meeting
- Previous item: Approved the County Manager's authority to sign documents to sell the County's share of 2619 Gables Drive in Eustis, Florida.
- Next item: Approved the County's annual loss control insurance policies with Princeton and other insurance companies and the annual brokerage fee for professional services, costing $3,369,728.
- All 24 items from Sep 8, 2026
More on government operations
- Oct 27, 2026 Approved a change to the firefighter contract for third-year wages and moved $2,615,936 from reserves to pay the $2,615,935.04 cost.
- Oct 27, 2026 Pulled the discussion on installing cameras in employee vehicles, leaving the policy decision for a later meeting.
- Oct 27, 2026 Appointed Andrew McGuire, Christie Folker, and Allyson Berry to the Sales Surtax Oversight Committee for four-year terms ending November 19, 2030.
- Oct 13, 2026 Approved a change to the January 2027 Board of County Commissioner meeting dates to January 12, 2027, and January 26, 2027.
- Oct 13, 2026 Approved a substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan and an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.