Drafter
Clerk 08/30/2002
Title
A MOTION adopting policies in accordance with Ordinance 14374, Section 13, relating to proposed changes in district court operations and facilities.
Body
WHEREAS, King County Ordinance 14374, Section 13, directs the executive and district court to submit proposed policies and criteria that will form the basis for any proposed changes in district court operations and facilities to the King County council, and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 14374 also indicated the King County council's intent that the proposed policies and criteria be reviewed by the regional policy committee, and
WHEREAS, a process was initiated by the district court, whereby the district court invited executive staff, cities and King County council staff to participate in developing criteria for potential closure of district court facilities in 2003 and to recommend accompanying policies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. It is in the best interest of all the citizens of King County to have an integrated court system that accommodates superior, district and municipal courts and that maximizes efficiency, effectiveness, customer service and accessibility, while minimizing cost. Wherever these needs are not met, it is the duty of the county and other stakeholders of the court system to work cooperatively in seeking viable solutions.
B. Recommendations for court facility closures in 2003 will be guided by the criteria contained in Attachment A to this motion, which were developed cooperatively between the cities, King County and the district court. These criteria shall be used to determine which court facility closures are of maximum benefit to the citizens of King County. These criteria include such factors as customer service, legal issues, workloads, facility conditions and geographic distribution of the facilities.
C. Recommendations for court facility closures beyond 2003 shall be developed utilizing a cooperative process involving the county executive, district court, and cities. Criteria governing future facility and operational changes should consider such factors as: customer service, legal issues, workloads, facility conditions and geographic distribution
of the facilities, as well as any other factors determined to be appropriate by the participants.