HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2024-188 Resolution authorizing Trial Court Improvement Account (TCIA) to be used by the Municipal Court for ongoing improvements RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-188
A RESOLUTION authorizing Trial Court Improvement Funds to be used by the Municipal
Court for ongoing improvements as required under RCW 3.50.480.
WHEREAS, in 2005 the State Legislature passed 2ESSB 5454, that intended to create a
dedicated revenue source for the purpose of meeting the State's commitment to improving trial
courts in the State; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 3.50.480, each jurisdiction receiving State payment for
municipal court judge salaries are required to create a "Trial Court Improvement Account" to be
funded with an amount equal to 100 percent of the State's contribution to its municipal court
judge's salaries; and
WHEREAS, the funds deposited into this account shall be used to fund improvements to
the municipal court's staffing, programs, facilities, or services as appropriated by the city
legislative authority; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima shall make quarterly deposits of the fund to the Trial Court
Improvement Account in the amount(s) equal to that received quarterly from the State of
Washington for municipal court judge salaries as required by law; and now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Council approves the creation of the Trial Court Improvement Account to fund
improvements to the Yakima Municipal Court's staffing, programing, facilities, or services as the
Council shall appropriate from time to time.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, unspent funds and interest earned on monies in the
Trial Court Improvement Account shall remain to allow for the Municipal Court to plan for
improvements into the future.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 15th day of October, 2024.
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.0.
For Meeting of: October 15, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Resolution authorizing Trial Court Improvement Account (TCIA) to be
used by the Municipal Court for ongoing improvements
SUBMITTED BY: Judge Aryn Masters, Presiding Judge of Yakima Municipal Court
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In 2005, the State Legislature passed 2ESSB 5454, which created local Trial Court Improvement
Accounts (TICAs). This bill mandated that local governments that received partial reimbursement for
judges' salaries must create these accounts, funded with an amount equal to funds received from the
State. The funds in the accounts must be used to fund improvements to court staffing, programs,
facilities and services. Further, the funds are designed to be expended each year, or the balance may
accrue to allow the Court to undertake larger improvement projects.
Other jurisdictions have used their TICA funds to upgrade courtroom equipment and technology, improve
courtroom facilities, security upgrades, etc.
Currently, the 100°/0 of the Yakima Municipal Court's TICA funds—approximately $60,000 in 2024 -- are
directly placed back into the General Fund to offset judicial salaries. There are several projects that the
Yakima Municipal Court needs to fund that are imperative to the functioning of the Court, including,
upgrading the courtroom Zoom and speaker system, replacing soundproofing panels in Courtroom #1,
installing security cameras in the courtrooms and over the cashier's counter, installing cameras on
exterior of building where Court employees enter/exit and park, and upgrade duress alarms in each
courtroom. For some of these projects, the Court has received reimbursable grant money, however,
without funds to start the work, the Court cannot access the funds. Access to the TICA would allow the
court to begin some of these projects.
ITEM BUDGETED: Yes
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Safe and Healthy Yakima
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Trial Court Improvement Account Resolution 2024.docx
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