2018-09-13 Prelim Budget mtg -- District Court2019 Preliminary Budget Meeting – District Court
September 13, 2018
4:31 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund; Commissioner Jackson; Commissioner Stamper; County Manager Erik
Martin; Budget Services Manager Becky Butler; Central Services Director Steve Walton; Judge RW
Buzzard; Court Administrator Hazel Dibble; and Citizens Budget Committee members Judy Pectol, Kyle
Markstrom, Peggy Hammer, Bill Marshall, Tory Graf and Robert Berg
Guest: Linda Williams
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Unfunded mandates discussed: Indigent defense, new legislation that prevents the collection of interest
on fines that go to collection, jury costs, interpreter costs
Revenue: $1,558,760
Expenditures: $1,954,000
Full-time equivalent employees: 15
Judge Buzzard said District Court sends half of its incoming money for fines, etc., to the state. He said
legislation no longer allows interest on fines that go to collections. He said that will decrease revenue by
$100,000.
Judge Buzzard said the courts use a video-based interpreter service.
Judge Buzzard and Hazel Dibble discussed succession planning.
Judge Buzzard said the county asks that positions be left dark until payouts are complete.
He said District Court is looking to go paperless.
Judge Buzzard discussed the Legislature’s work regarding driving with a suspended license in the third
degree. He said decriminalizing DWSL III would be a danger to society and would be a hit to revenues.
Judge Buzzard said he has seen success in jailing people for DWSL III offenses. He said it’s a responsibility
issue, not a funding issue. He said he is looking outside the box for some sentences as jail doesn’t always
work for some offenders.
Commissioner Fund invited Judge Buzzard to the Oct. 5 Legislative Roundtable.
Meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.