The City of Lakeland has spent over $363,000 of taxpayer money on 3rd party legal advice in the last three months of 2021, why?

The City of Lakeland has paid 13 outside law firms and attorneys during the last three months of 2021, according to the city records. (See Below)

In the quarterly expense report that City Manager Shawn Sherrouse presented to Lakeland City Commissioners Monday, he stated it reflects the decision we made years ago to contract for legal services from outside law firms rather than hire more full-time city attorneys.