Conyers reorganizes court services, shifts probation oversight and appoints prosecuting attorney

The Conyers City Council approved three ordinances to create a separate Department of Court Services, remove probation and court services from the police chief’s responsibilities, and transfer authority to administer oaths for probation officers to municipal court judges. The council also approved Resolution 7-54, appointing Carrie Bucek as the municipal court prosecuting attorney and administered her oath.

Carey (city staff) told the council the three ordinances are organizational changes that will be effective July 1. The first ordinance (14-23) adds Court Services to the city’s list of departments. The second (14-24) removes language requiring the police chief to administer probation and court services. The third (14-25) deletes the police chief’s authority to administer oaths to probation officers and creates a new section assigning that duty to municipal court judges. Carey described the package as a reorganization of the city’s organizational chart.

Cameron moved to approve Ordinance 14-23 (creating the separate Department of Court Services), Ordinance 14-24 (removing probation/court services from police chief responsibilities), and Ordinance 14-25 (assigning oath administration to municipal court judges); the motions were seconded and passed unanimously with second readings waived. Carey noted the ordinances will be effective July 1.

Following the ordinances, the council approved Resolution 7-54 appointing Carrie Bucek as prosecuting attorney pursuant to OCGA 15-18-91 and section 2-5-21 of the Conyers Code of Ordinances. The council administered Bucek’s oath of office during the meeting. Judge Nation and court services staff were in the council chamber for the discussion.