Action 23.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Court Administration
- Meeting Date:
- 11/17/2020
- Title:
- Court Co-Location Agreement between the County and Sierra Vista
- Submitted By:
- Britt Hanson, County Attorney
- Department:
- County Attorney
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Britt Hanson
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Of Counsel, County Attorney
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Local Mandate or Policy
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for Court Co-Location and Operations between Cochise County and the City of Sierra Vista, effective January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Background:
For many years, the Sierra Vista Justice Court has provided municipal court services to the City of Sierra Vista by operating a consolidated court through IGAs to do so. Recently, parties to that IGA determined to change that model. Under this proposed IGA, the Sierra Vista Justice Court would continue to handle and process all misdemeanor, traffic offenses and other cases that arise within City jurisdiction, except that it will no longer be responsible for cases arising from the violation of the City's Code of Ordinances, eg. animal control cases. Instead, the IGA provides that the City will appoint a magistrate to handle those cases. The IGA calls for the Superior Court to appoint a Judge Pro Tem, who must be an Arizona attorney, to assist the Justice of the Peace. By approving the IGA, the City Council appoints that Pro Tem as the city magistrate, who will then provide up to 50 hours/year as magistrate. The County will compensate the Pro Tem/magistrate. The IGA also provides that the city magistrate will have exclusive access to Courtroom A for four (4) hours each month to handle magistrate cases.
For FY2020-2021, in consideration for courtroom access for its magistrate and for operational services, the City will pay the County $161,000. Thereafter, the City will pay the County an amount determined according to a cost model that is attached as Exhibit A to the IGA.
For FY2020-2021, in consideration for courtroom access for its magistrate and for operational services, the City will pay the County $161,000. Thereafter, the City will pay the County an amount determined according to a cost model that is attached as Exhibit A to the IGA.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Implement the changes called for in the IGA.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County would continue to operate a consolidated court through December 31, 2020, but thereafter there would be no agreement in place and the City would have to establish a municipal court and facility for it to handle magistrate cases.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Send the IGA to Presiding Judge Conlogue for signature, with a cc to Court Administrator John Schow. When they return it, it would then need to be sent to County Attorney Brian McIntyre for signature. When he returns it, it should be sent to Assistant City Manager Victoria Yarbrough to route it for approval and signatures at the City. Email PDF advising when en route to following:
cityclerk@sierravistaaz.gov
Maria.Marsh@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV
Jill.Adams@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV
Victoria.Yarbrough@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV
cityclerk@sierravistaaz.gov
Maria.Marsh@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV
Jill.Adams@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV
Victoria.Yarbrough@SIERRAVISTAAZ.GOV