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Yakima County commissioners say judges should stop performing paid weddings on county property
Summary
Commissioners discussed recent requests for judges to hold wedding ceremonies on county property and expressed consensus that judges should not use county resources for paid, nonofficial ceremonies.
Yakima County commissioners discussed whether judges may continue performing paid wedding ceremonies on county property, concluding the county should keep a clear line between official duties and private, compensated services.
The discussion came at the Board of Yakima County Commissioners work session on May 15, when a representative of corporate counsel summarized an inquiry about judges using county facilities for weddings. The representative said the ceremonies appeared to be “outside their official capacity” and that judges were having “a monetary financial gain.”
The board noted a nearby facility, Northtown, as the typical meeting space for such events and agreed that judges who wish to offer paid wedding services should do so off county property. Commissioner Curtis said the alternate facility “seems like the best place for that to take place.”
There was no formal motion or vote recorded; commissioners stated they had consensus to maintain the separation between county resources and private financial gain. Julie Lawrence, clerk of the board, and corporate counsel were asked to follow up as needed.
The matter was discussed informally and will not change county policy without formal action, the commissioners said. No ordinance, resolution or written amendment was proposed during the work session.
