Washington County committee backs resolution urging more state funding for circuit courts

The Washington County Public Safety Committee voted to approve a resolution urging the state to increase funding for county circuit courts, a measure proponents said would shift some costs off the county budget.

Committee members said counties currently pay most operating costs for the circuit court system and that additional state support would reduce local spending. A presenter told the committee that “at least 80% of the funding comes through the county levies and their own general fund,” while the state provides about 20% of the funding.

The presenter said a statewide request sought $70,000,000 in added support. The governor’s budget proposal, the presenter said, included $24,000,000 for the coming year and a proposed $70,000,000 for the following year. The presenter described plans to press the Legislature and the Joint Finance Committee to keep the funding in the budget when the committee meets on April 4.

A committee member said the extra funds could translate to roughly $1 million in local savings for Washington County if the full request is approved. Committee members moved to approve and send the advisory resolution; members signaled their approval and the chair declared the motion carried.

The resolution asks that any new funding be distributed through the state court appropriations process so funds can be used for court operations, including guardian ad litem costs identified by county staff as a significant expense. Committee members noted the goal is to minimize county levy impact while letting the state court director’s office administer the funding.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.