Carbon County must spend nearly $100,000 to supply a law research database even though it isn't used often.

During the county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, the board approved an agreement with Westlaw Next for a three-year subscription package for both electronic and hardbound books of law materials for the county's law library.The monthly cost for one year is $7,677 for a total annual cost of $92,124."It is such an expensive project for us for very little use," said Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman.Under the terms of the agreement, the monthly cost will increase by no more than 5 percent for each of the following two years.The contract covers licenses for the three county judges and three law clerks.Roberta Brewster, court administrator, said that the purpose of the database and books is for research materials.She noted that the three-year contract bundling both electronic and hardbound books and updates is supposed to save the county approximately $30,000.Nothstein said that the materials are not used by attorneys much anymore.Daniel Miscavige, county solicitor, added that most attorneys have their own subscriber license to the database through their law office.But, Miscavige said, "The law says we have to have it and it has to be accessible."Brewster said that the law library, which is located on the second floor of the courthouse behind Courtroom 1, is the only public legal research library in the county and is open to the public.In other matters, Miscavige reported that it looks like there may be a resolution soon in regards to a mandamus complaint filed by the county against former Mahoning Township tax collector Richard Swarcheck.The complaint spoke about records not being updated and money that was collected not turned over to the county.Miscavige said that based on information received from attorney Robert Frycklund, the county is hopeful everything will be resolved within the next 30 days.