PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles-based Clallam County District Court 1 has joined other district courts on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas in contracting with a Chehalis firm to collect outstanding fees and fines.
County commissioners Tuesday approved an agreement with Dynamic Collectors Inc. to form a cooperative plan for misdemeanor court collections in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties.
The idea is to provide one payment plan for those who have infractions in multiple jurisdictions.
“If you have a ticket in Jefferson County and you have a ticket in Clallam County, you have two different collection agencies, so you have two payment plans,” Clallam County District Court 1 Administrator Keith Wills told commissioners Monday.
“One agency has one plan.”
Forks-based Clallam County District Court 2 switched to Dynamic Collectors last year.
“We’re following suit,” Wills said in a later interview.
“It allows the entire Peninsula to have one collection agency.”
Clallam County Superior Court does not contract with an outside collections agency, Superior Court Clerk Barbara Christensen said.
Other action
In other action from Tuesday’s board meeting, the three commissioners approved a $139,400 grant with the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to rehabilitate parts of the historic Clallam County Courthouse.
The county will use real estate excise tax money to cover the 50-50 match, County Administrator Jim Jones said.
A $112,355 portion of the $278,800 total is set aside for exterior rehabilitation, including the stabilization of the existing concrete entry wall off Lincoln Street, pressure washing and the restoration of decorative metal, wood trim, light standards, ledges and columns.
Nearly $85,000 is dedicated to interior flooring and signs.
More than $50,000 is to be used for restoration of the historic clock.
The second-floor restrooms will be brought to Americans with Disabilities Act standards as part of the scope of work.
The project is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by February.
Commissioner Mike Doherty thanked county Parks, Fair and Facilities Director Joel Winborn for his “continuing pursuits” of historic preservation grants to refurbish the 100-year-old courthouse.
The courthouse was built in 1914 and opened to the public in 1915.
“It’s nice to have it looking good and even more energy-efficient than it was when it was built,” Doherty said.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
