PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Law and Justice Council voted 7-6 Wednesday to table a motion to end talks of forming separate municipal courts for the cities of Port Angeles and Sequim.
At the same time, the council approved a motion from Superior Court Judge Ken Williams to “work toward finding solutions to maintain a unified court” for the benefit of the citizens.
In response to the rising costs of contracting with Clallam County District Court for traffic infractions, small claims cases and misdemeanor charges, the cities of Port Angeles and Sequim are considering a joint district court or their own municipal courts.
“I think it’s imperative that this group stop in its tracks today the idea that the cities are going to have their own courts,” said Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman, who made the motion to “vote against the cities looking at running their own courts.”
“This would be a bad idea for this community. It’s ridiculous that we want to even say it would cut costs.”
Sequim City Attorney Craig Ritchie disagreed with Chapman’s motion.
“I don’t think it’s the time to say let’s decide that this is not a good idea,” Ritchie said.
“I think the contrary is true. It’s time to say let’s look at all of the factors and see if we can find agreements that would benefit all of the taxpayers, not just the county taxpayers and not just the city taxpayers.”
Said Chapman: “It would be the height of arrogance for the two cities to say we want to appoint a judge in this county.
“Do not take that lightly from the citizens of this county. We need to stop this, right here, right now, at this meeting.”
The law and justice council has no legislative authority but can make recommendations to cities and the county. The members are representatives of the governmental entities.
The members spoke among themselves during the meeting, with no outside testimony. Fourteen of the 16 members attended.
Clallam County District Court Judge Rick Porter said he was neutral and abstained from voting.
Port Angeles City Councilwoman Brooke Taylor and others on the law and justice council said they didn’t have enough information to take action on Chapman’s motion.
June 2 meeting
The group plans to consider the motion in a special meeting at 3:30 p.m. June 2 in the Clallam County commissioner’s meeting room at the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
The Port Angeles and Sequim city councils discussed the idea of forming a joint municipal court in a combined meeting on April 19.
“We’ve got to get our costs under control for budget purposes,” said Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers, a member of the group.
“We would rather try to address those cost concerns and stay with the current court structure. That’s certainly our preferable course.
“But if we’re not able to get our costs down, get those under control, then we have to seriously consider the possibility of establishing our own court.”
Other potential savings could be made through such diversion programs as electronic home monitoring ankle bracelets worn by non-violent offenders, Myers said.
Criminal justice sale tax
Another option mentioned by several members would be to introduce a criminal justice sales tax to voters.
Both Sequim and Port Angeles reported higher district court costs this year, when the county started charging them on a five-year average rather than on the number of cases for a particular year.
Ritchie and Port Angeles City Attorney Bill Bloor told their respective councils last month that establishing a separate court could potentially save money.
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict, who seconded Chapman’s motion, warned that duplication in the court system could create more costs to the taxpayer.
Myers said jail costs went up $98,000 last year and are on pace to go up $200,000 this year.
All options on table
He said he is cautiously optimistic that those costs can be controlled, saying all options should be left on the table.
Port Angeles and Sequim are paying roughly $59 for each case. Both cities make up about 35 percent of Porter’s case load.
The West End has its own district courtroom and judge in Forks. Porter is the only district court judge for the rest of the county.
Ritchie has said that fees for district court have doubled over last year. Port Angeles City Finance Director Yvonne Ziomkowski said fees have risen by about 25 percent.
Jim Jones, Clallam County administrator, said law and justice costs are rising faster than inflation.
“Controlling costs while balancing the public’s expectation for safety and service is something that we are all committed to working very hard to do,” Jones said.
“We just have to figure it out and I believe we’ll get there.”
Jones said jail costs — not court costs — are responsible for the overall run-up in law and justice costs.
“I don’t think there’s any way in hell that there’s going to be a savings of money in changing the courts,” he said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
