2017-09-27 Budget mtg - Superior Court for 2018Budget meeting with Superior Court
September 27, 2017
1:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson (1:04 p.m.), Becky Butler,
Steve Walton, Judge Lawler, Judge Toynbee, Stephanie Miller, Susie Parker
Guests: Justyna Tomtas, Mitch Townsend, Matt Brock, Bill Marshall, Anthony Ahrens, Linda Williams
Recorder: Rieva Lester
2018 prelim budget
Revenue: $21,340, expenditures: $1,382,909; FTEs: 8.70
Revenue review
Becky Butler said the majority of the revenue is collected through the Clerk’s office.
Expenditure review
Susie said Superior Court have two basic budgets: administration and indigent defense (“non-crime” as
well as crime related).
Commissioner Stamper asked how a person is determined to be indigent. Judge Lawler gave a brief
overview of the screening used to make that determination. He said years ago, a pre-release
coordinator would monitor each case to see if circumstances had changed. He said that position was cut
long ago, and he said the position may not be helpful in present day as most of the revenue collected is
through filing fees, etc. Judge Lawler discussed the costs that can be imposed for convicted individuals.
He said the court is required to waive filing fees for those who say they cannot afford it. He said the
courts also cannot collect fees “upfront.”
Judge Lawler said the law library is going online instead of having the large, expensive books. Susie
Parker said the law library is open to everyone. Judge Lawler said the county’s subscriptions covers all
updates for the law library.
Expenditure limitation discussion
$3,778 request to tie the court commissioner salary to that of the judges: Susie Parker said the request
is to tie the Court Commissioner’s salary to 85 percent of the judges’ salaries. Susie also discussed the
recent COLA for non-represented employees. Becky discussed the increase approved in March. She
asked for clarification on whether the Superior Court was asking to tie the salary to the judges’ salaries
or to the non-reps.
Susie said the BOCC previously approved an increase but denied the request to tie it to the judges’
salaries.
Becky asked how long the position has been in place. Judge Toynbee said Judge Brosey started in 1994.
Susie said most counties have a court commissioner. Judge Lawler said the judges appoint the court
commissioners.
Mitch Townsend asked for the court commissioner’s qualifications. Judge Lawler said anyone with a law
license would technically be eligible to be a court commissioner or a judge. He said the position handles
family law, dependency, juvenile, and domestic violence calendars. Judge Lawler said she has years of
family law experience. He said her cases cannot be appealed, per se, but can lead to a motion of
revision. Mitch asked if it would be more cost-effective to hire someone with less experience at a lower
rate. Judge Lawler said he supports having Tracy Mitchell in the position.
Judge Lawler countered Mitch Townsend’s assertion that locals view the quality of representation in
Lewis County as lacking. Judge Lawler said that is a misconception. Judge Lawler said it is different on
the civil side because counsel cannot be appointed by the courts.
Commissioner Fund asked if there are any topics the judges want brought up during the Legislative
Roundtable. Judge Lawler said fee waivers should be a topic.
Becky invited the group to an Oct. 3 meeting to discuss the mental health tax.
Meeting ended at 1:40 p.m.