Council adopts ordinance updating municipal court fees to cover court costs and technology
Summary
San Luis adopted Ordinance No. 466 to adjust several existing municipal court fees, add a court technology fee and clarify collection and civil recovery authorities; council approved on first reading and adopted in the same meeting.
The San Luis City Council adopted an ordinance amending local municipal court fees and updating the city’s authority to collect unpaid balances.
Judge Figueroa and court staff presented the ordinance, saying many municipal court fees have not been updated since 1999 and no current local fee covers the court’s growing operational costs, technology needs and higher case volumes. The ordinance raises several existing fees (including the municipal court enhancement fee and default cost recovery) and establishes new local fees, including a defense appointment fee (for non‑indigent defendants), a dishonored check fee aligned with finance policy and a $15 court technology fee imposed in cases where fines or sanctions are assessed to support virtual court and remote access improvements.
The ordinance also clarifies collection language to allow the city to recover collection costs beyond a stated percentage and grants the city attorney authority to pursue civil recovery of unpaid local fees. Judge Figueroa said the changes support efforts to modernize court operations and preserve access to justice.
Council member Esteban Rosales moved to read Ordinance No. 466 by title only and then to approve and adopt the ordinance; the motions passed unanimously.
