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Council hears reduced state award for therapeutic courts; staff say cuts may eliminate about three positions
Summary
City staff told Spokane City Council that a recent court grant award from the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts was substantially smaller than requested, forcing program adjustments that could eliminate roughly three positions; councilors discussed seeking other grants and options.
Spokane City Council members were told July 21 that a state grant for the city's therapeutic court programs came in substantially smaller than requested, forcing program changes and potential staff reductions. Micha el Diamond, speaking for the therapeutic courts because the coordinator was on leave, said the city received a state Administrative Office of the Courts award covering July 1 through the following June and that the award was substantially less than requested. He said the funds are intended primarily to support funded full-time positions and travel and training for court staff. Diamond said the shortfall will require the court to "modify programs and services accordingly." The presenter said the reduced award will mean a cut equal to roughly three positions and that staff are seeking other grant options, including federal grants that become available in March. He said the state awards are annual and that courts across Washington are being affected by state budget cuts. Council members pressed administration on whether the city would try to find alternate funding to restore any lost FTEs. Diamond said the city is exploring available grants but did not offer a firm plan to replace positions before the next funding cycle. Why it matters: the therapeutic courts provide supervised programs that the city said rely on funded staff to operate; a contraction in staffing can change the services available to participants and court operations. Program details and next steps: Diamond said the award will be appropriated to fund positions and training. Councilors and staff discussed pursuing other grants and monitoring upcoming federal and state funding opportunities. No final funding decision or layoffs were voted on at the July 21 agenda review; the related acceptance and appropriation item was deferred for final consideration at the July 28 meeting. Context: Judge O'Sullivan had discussed the program with council previously, and members referenced that conversation while questioning administration about contingency plans.
