Title
Discussion: Municipal Judge compensation
Body
Issue/Request:
The Municipal Court Judges are requesting consideration of increases in compensation as considerations are contemplated in restructuring dockets and other court functions. The compensation of municipal court judges is determined by the Mayor and City Council by ordinance, and as such, this consideration is being brought forward to the Finance and Budget Committee for consideration and direction.
Key Issues:
The Municipal Court Judges are considering changes to the operation(s) of the municipal court and in doing so, are requesting consideration of increases in compensation. Currently the Lee's Summit Municipal Court operates two separate divisions - Divisions 243 and 263 of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of the State of Missouri. Currently each division holds dockets on one day of each week with Division 243 being held on Tuesdays, and Division 263 held on Thursdays. Judge Altieri and Judge Maxwell-Lopez will be present to provide information on the proposed restructuring and the request for the increase in compensation.
Attached to this packet are the current docket structure as well as a proposed docket structure being considered. The proposal under consideration would put in place a four docket per week schedule rather than a two docket per week schedule with Division 243 and 263 each having two dockets per week.
Background:
The Lee's Summit City Charter contains a provision stating, "Compensation of Municipal Judges shall be determined by ordinance, and shall not be dependent in any way upon the number of cases tried, the number of guilty verdicts reached or the amount of fines imposed or collected. No change in compensation of an incumbent Municipal Judge shall become effective during that judge's term of office." In addition to the language contained in the Lee's Summit City Charter, there is a prohibition against a midterm compensation increase for municipal officers in th...
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