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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - October 17, 2012 C-11AGENDA ITEM C40" 0% CITY OF LODI ,. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Supporting the San Joaquin Superior Court's Requestfor Additional Funding from the Judicial Council MEETING DATE: October 17,2012 PREPARED BY: City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution supporting the San Joaquin Superior Court's requestfor additional funding from the Judicial Council. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In 1997, the County Court system was transferred to the State. A prime reason for doing this was to create some equality between counties for funding. Priorto 1997-1998, all funding came from the County; however, San Joaquin County courts have historically been underfunded and the shift to State control has not corrected this issue. In fact, the court system has suffered from the economic downturn as have other branches of State government. Even with an additional $1 million emergency funding last year, we saw the closing of one of Lodi's branch courts and all of the Tracy courts. The San Joaquin Superior Court is once again seeking emergency funding in orderto continue with the limited services that are currently offered. According to the Presiding Judge, without the additional funding it will be likely that the remaining Lodi branch court as well as the branch courts in Manteca will close. Not only will this impact the entire north county for access to the court system, but will cost the City of Lodi significant money by having to shift more resources to courts in Stockton as well as the County jail. The Judicial Council is scheduled to meet on October 25 to consider the request. Staff is seeking City Council approval to provide a Resolution in support of the Court's request. FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. r t Bartlam City Manager APPROVED:_ \a ` Konradt Bartlam, City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 2012-168 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE SAN JOAQUIN SUPERIOR COURT'S REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL WHEREAS, in 1997, the County Court system was transferred to the State, the prime reason for doing this was to create some equality between counties for funding; and WHEREAS, San Joaquin County courts have historically been underfunded and the shift to State control has not corrected this issue; and WHEREAS, the court system has suffered from the economic downturn as have other branches of State government. Even with an additional $1 million emergency funding last year, the City of Lodi saw the closing of one of Lodi's branch courts and all of the Tracy courts; and WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Superior Court is once again seeking emergency funding in order to continue with the limited services that are currently offered, and without the additional funding it is likely that the remaining Lodi branch court as well as the branch courts in Manteca will close; and WHEREAS, this will not only impact the entire north county for access to the court system, but will cost the City of Lodi significant money by having to shift more resources to courts in Stockton as well as the County jail; and WHEREAS, the Judicial Council is scheduled to meet on October 25, 2012 to consider the request for additional funding for the San Joaquin Superior Court system. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby support the San Joaquin Superior Court's request for additional funding from the Judicial Council in order to keep the limited court services available to the public. Date: October 17, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ hereby certify that Resolution No. 2012-168 was passed and adopted by the Lodi City Council in a regular meeting held October 17, 2012, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hansen, Johnson, Katzakian, Nakanishi, and Mayor Mounce COUNCIL MEMBERS— None COUNCIL MEMBERS— None COUNCIL MEMBERS — None 2012-168 HL City Clerk