MCC utilizes experienced in-house personnel to provide codification services. Our company is focused on providing the most comprehensive legal review, substantive conference and the best variety of publishing options.
The Process of Codification
Legal Research. The primary concern in codification is the legal research. One of our staff attorneys performs a legal review of the legislation enacted of a general and permanent nature against state statutes and court decisions. MCC provides a Table of Contents suggesting an arrangement for the Code based on the existing legislation and our experience in codification. MCC then reviews and prepares a Code structure (upon your approval of the proposed Table of Contents) via a Legal Manuscript consisting of the legislation and recommendations in strike through and underline along with comments backing up the recommendations. This research is the basis for recommendations discussed at the editorial conference with MCC’s attorney.
To view a sample chapter of our legal manuscript, click the following link:
Sample Legal Manuscript.
Conference with Attorney. Our attorney will either travel to you to conduct the legal conference or set up a teleconference. During the conference recommendations such as eliminating obsolete provisions, pointing out inconsistencies with the state law and duplications within ordinances are presented. It is important that your attorney be involved in the conference, with other interested officials available for consultation. In addition to reviewing the legal issues, the organization and numbering system for the Code and sample provisions covering new subjects are discussed at the conference.
Conference Memorandum. Following the conference the legal manuscript is updated indicating the substantive changes and solutions to problems. We recommend using this memorandum while reviewing the proof copy of the new Code.
Editing and Organization. MCC has a style manual for internal use that assures consistency of format. Our normal style includes:
- A listing of all sections within a chapter at the front of each chapter;
- Catch lines preceding each section which describes the subject of the section;
- History notes, where possible, at the end of each section giving the ordinance number from which the section is derived; and
- State law references, which cite the applicable, state statute.
Organizationally, we suggest a chapter arrangement, which includes articles and divisions, and allows for an alphabetical sequence of chapters by subject matter. If you prefer, however, a title arrangement is also available. Each title is a broad array of ordinances, generally grouping provisions applicable to municipal departments. Our attorney can present options to meet any specific requirements.
Index. Our Indexers are specialists who understand the intricacies of indexing. An MCC index represents a combination cross reference and direct citation system, with no dead-end references. Our indexers work with over 200,000 Code pages within a year.
Typesetting, Printing, and Binding. The format of the page is designed to accommodate the maximum amount of material. The type is easy-to-read and includes special typefaces such as boldface and italics to provide eye appeal and readability. The entire system is designed for future expansion and supplementation on a page-for-page basis.
Publishing Options. You can choose to have the Code in print and or any electronic form. MCC can provide options for binding and electronic options to meet your specific needs.
Distribution. MCC can provide distribution services for the Codes and Supplement. MCC can print and sell direct to the outside subscribers. This can allow the City to reduce the number of printed copies received and potentially reduce the costs to the City. MCC would be responsible for the distribution at no cost to the City.
Electronic Media. Once the project is completed MCC can provide the Code in electronic media. The data can be furnished on disks, CD-ROM, or via the Internet or modem, formatted for use in Word, WordPerfect, HTML, PDF or ASCII. It may be integrated with Folio BoundVIEWS information retrieval software program. Folio BoundVIEWS instantly locates in the document references to a word, phrase, or combination thereof. The software also affords easy “exportation” of language to your word processing software for drafting and amendatory purposes. MCC provides the software for use with Windows.
Electronic Supplementation. If you have chosen to receive the Codes electronically, MCC can provide the Supplements electronically on a schedule designed to meet your needs, e.g. monthly or bimonthly. You may choose to have hard copy Supplements printed less frequently. The electronic media will reflect the entire Code as updated through the most recent ordinance. This allows for updating the Code without having to insert all of the printed Supplement pages each time. It also provides for a faster update than the printed version.
New Ordinances on the Web (N.O.W.). MCC can post your ordinances to the web between supplements so that anyone searching your Code will find the most current legislation. Once ordinances posted through the N.O.W. service are included in a supplement to the Code, they will be removed from the web. If you would like ordinances incorporated into the electronic version of the Code more often than your printed Code is updated, please consider our Electronic Supplementation Service.
Internet Connection. Should you desire to place the Code on the Internet, it may be included in our Online Library on MCC’s home page (http://www.municode.com). This home page contains a growing collection of over 1700 Codes of Ordinances, and is available to anyone with Internet access.
Glossary of Codification Terms:
Codification Term GlossaryRequest for Proposal (RFP) templates
These template documents are presented in Rich Text Format (rtf) so they may be edited and adapted for use in a formal Request for Proposal.
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