Item 4B - MemoCITY OF
SOUTH LAKE
MEMORANDUM
March 25, 2025
To: Alison Ortowski, City Manager
From: Amy Shelley, City Secretary
Item 4B
Subject: Resolution No. 25-012, designating the Commercial Recorder as the
City of Southlake's official newspaper of record.
Action
Requested: Approve Resolution No. 25-012, designating the Commercial
Recorder as the City of Southlake's official newspaper of record.
Background
Information: The Texas Government Code Section 2051.049 requires
municipalities to designate a newspaper of general circulation, and
Section 12.05 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to select
an official newspaper for publishing ordinances, notices, and other
required materials.
Since February 18, 1997, the Fort Worth Star -Telegram has served
as the City's official newspaper, designated by Resolution No. 97-12.
However, due to recent changes in ownership, the Star -Telegram
has:
Reduced print editions from seven days a week to only
Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday (effective October 2024).
Eliminated legal notice publications from its digital version.
Increased publication rates for legal notices, display ads, and
affidavits.
Analysis: Under Texas Government Code Section 2051.045, publication rates
must align with the lowest published classified ad rate. A survey of
cities reveals pricing ranges from $0.36 to $4.00 per line with the
Star -Telegram. The Commercial Recorder offers a rate of $0.40 per
line for cities where it serves as the designated newspaper of record.
It publishes a printed newspaper Monday through Friday (excluding
federal holidays) and provides an online edition. Based on past
advertising expenditures, switching to the Commercial Recorder will
save approximately $4,000 annually.
With the approval of this resolution, services with the Commercial
Recorder would become effective immediately.
Financial
Considerations: Non -applicable
Strategic Link: CSOF1: Ensuring a commitment to using collaborative agreements
while providing high value services through responsible
management of resources.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Non -applicable
Legal Review: The City Attorney has reviewed Resolution No. 25-012 and confirmed
that the Commercial Recorder meets the requirements of the City
Charter and the Texas Government Code.
Alternatives: Recommendation to approve as presented.
Recommendation to approve with changes as directed.
Recommendation to not approve.
Supporting
Documents: Resolution No. 97-12
Resolution No. 25-012
Staff
Recommendation: Approve Resolution No. 25-012, designating the Commercial
Recorder as the City of Southlake's official newspaper of record.
mi
City of Southlake, Texas
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
RESOLUTION NO. 97-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS,
RENEWAL OF THE DESIGNATION OF AN OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER AND APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS WITH THE FORT WORTH STAR
TELEGRAM; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 12.05 of the City's Charter, the City Council is
authorized to designate a newspaper of general circulation in the City as the official newspaper
of the City, and shall cause to be published therein all ordinances, notices and other matters which
are required to be published by the Charter, the ordinances of the City or the Constitution or laws
of the State of Texas; and,
WHEREAS, the City is currently in the practice of using the Fort Worth Star -Telegram
for its official publications; and,
WHEREAS, in or to avail itself of special rates offered by the Fort Worth Star Telegram,
it is the intention of the City Council to hereby officially declare the Fort Worth Star Telegram
to be the "official newspaper" of the City and to enter into a contract with the newspaper for such
services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. All of the above premises are found to be true and correct and are incorporated into
the body of this resolution as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. The City Council hereby designates the Fort Worth Star Telegram as its "official
newspaper" and hereby directs that all ordinances, notices and other matters which are required
to be published by the Charter, the ordinances of the City or the Constitution or laws of the State
of Texas, shall be published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Section 3. The City Council hereby approved a Contract for Official Publications in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit "A" with such publisher. The City Manager is hereby authorized and
directed to execute and deliver such contract to the Fort Worth Star -Telegram on behalf of the
City.
Section 4. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1997.
Resolution No. 97-12
Official Publication
page two
M . ��
A —
ATTEST:
L. LeGrand k
City Secretary
*4*
City of Southlake, Texas
• CONTRACT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
STATE OF TEXAS }
COUNTIES OF TARRANT }
AND DENTON
This Contract, dated as of March 1, 1997, is made and entered into by and between the
City of Southlake, Texas, (the "City") and the Fort. Worth Star Telegram (the "Publisher").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 12.05 of the City's Home Rule Charter, the City
Council, as approved on May 1, 1997, has designated the Fort Worth Star Telegram (the
"Newspaper") to be the official newspaper of the City. Such newspaper being of general
circulation in the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises the
agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, the City and the Publisher do hereby agree as follows:
I.
That the City will cause to be published in the Newspaper any ordinances, notices, and
other matters which are .required to be published by the City's Charter, the ordinances of the City,
or the Constitution or laws of the State of Texas.
II.
That the City and the Publisher hereby agree that the rates to,be paid by the City for the
City's official publication are as follows: Legal notices will be published in the daily or Saturday
edition of the full circulation Star -Telegram at the rate of $.79 per agate line, per day. Legal
notices to be published on Sunday will be $1.30 per agate line, per day. This compares to the
regular rate of $4.90 per line, per day for legal notices. Non -legal ads, or legal notices not
published in the classified section will be charged at the normal published rates. The .SMr
Telegram will publish employment and other display ads in the classified section of the SMr-
Telegram at a rate of $8.04 per agate line per day. This compares to the regular rate of $13.04
per line for Sunday employment ads. This special rate applies only if the Star Telegram is chosen
to publish legals for the City of Southlake. A maximum of two affidavits of publication will be
furnished to the City of Southlake upon request, at no additional charge. Additional affidavits are
available for $20.00 each. Ads are to be set in agate type unless requested otherwise.
5 A-q-
•Contract for Official Publications
Fort Worth Star Telegram
page two
[I —to
. This Contract may be modified or amended at any time upon the written approval by both
the City and the Publisher. Any such amendment or modification shall be attached to and
incorporated into this Contract.
IV.
This Contract shall be in full force and effect until the 28th=day of February 1998, or its
earlier termination or cancellation by either the City or the Publisher upon thirty (30) days written
notice to the other party. Written notice shall be deemed given upon a party hereto three (3) days
following the deposit of such notice in the United States mail, postage prepaid and properly
addressed to such party as follows:
TO THE CITY:
City Manager
City of Southlake
• 1725 East Southlake Boulevard
Southlake, Texas 76092
-•
TO THE PUBLISHER:
Director of Advertising
Fort Worth Star -Telegram
400 West Seventh Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 .
V.
That the persons affixing their signature hereto on behalf of the City and the Publisher -are
duly authorized and empowered to execute this contract.
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Curtis E. Hawk
City Manager
•Contract for Official Publication
Fort Worth Star Telegram
page three
ATTEST:
Sandra L. LeGrand
City Secretary
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0
FORT WORTH STAR -TELEGRAM
Classified Advertising Manager
aiVEvcs Hrrs HOME
January 27, 1997
Sandra L. LeGrand
City Secretary
City of Southlake
667 North Carroll Avenue
Southlake, TX 76092
Dear Ms. LeGrand:
Fort Worth Star -Telegram
FFR 3 W7
SECRETARY
On behalf of the Star -Telegram, I submit herein our bid to publish legal notices on behalf
of the City of Southlake for the period of March 1, 1997 through February 28, 1998.
Legal notices will be published in the daily or Saturday editions of the full circulation
Star -Telegram at the rate of $.79 per agate line, per day. Legal notices published on
Sunday will be $1.30 per agate line, per day. This compares to the regular rate of $4.90
per line, per day for legal notices. Non -legal ads, or legal notices not published in the
classified section will be charged at the normal published rates.
•
We will publish employment and other display ads in the classified section of the Star -
Telegram at a rate of $8.04 per agate line per day. This compares to the regular rate of
$13.04 per line for Sunday employment ads. This special rate applies only if the Star -
Telegram is chosen to publish legal notices for the City of Southlake.
If necessary, a maximum of two affidavits of publication will be furnished to the City of
Southlake upon request, at no additional charge. Additional affidavits are available for
$20.00 each. Ads are to be set in agate type unless requested otherwise.
We are pleased to offer you the large circulation of the Star -Telegram at this low bid. We
look forward to having the opportunity to serve you as the official newspaper of record
for .the City of Southlake the coming year.
Sincerely,
Betty Williams
Inside Sales Manager
•
400 West Seventh Street, P. O. Box 1870, Fort Worth, Texas 76101 / 817 / 390-7400
RESOLUTION NO. 25-012
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS,
DESIGNATING THE COMMERCIAL RECORDER AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
OF THE CITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Whereas, the City of Southlake, Texas ("City") is a home rule municipality acting
under its charter adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article Xl, Section
5, of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 9 of the Texas Local Government
Code; and
Whereas, pursuant to Section 12.05 of the Southlake City Charter, as well as Texas
Government Code Section 2051.049, it is required that certain ordinances
which may be passed by the City Council be published in a paper of
general circulation in the City, before such ordinances may become
effective; and
Whereas, various other laws require certain matters to be published in a newspaper of
general circulation or the official newspaper of the City; and
Whereas, The Commercial Recorder is a newspaper of general circulation in the City;
and
Whereas, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City
to designate The Commercial Recorder as the official newspaper of the
City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council designates The Commercial Recorder as the official
newspaper of the City of Southlake in which all captions and necessary
notices are published according to law.
Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and it is
so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 1ST DAY OF APRIL 2025.
ATTEST:
Amy Shelley, TRMC
City Secretary
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Shawn McCaskill
Mayor