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Municipal Court reports revenue increase, staffing changes and plans to improve non‑English services
Summary
Municipal Court Department head Catherine Housen told the Committee of the Whole that court receipts rose in 2024, ticket counts increased, and the department will focus on non‑English defendant services, a new trial day schedule and cross‑training.
Catherine Housen, department head for the City of New Berlin Municipal Court, presented a year‑end update for 2024 to the Committee of the Whole on Feb. 11. She said courtroom staffing has been consistent in recent years but noted prosecutor and staffing changes for 2025 and outlined operational and revenue trends.
Housen said Judge Joseph Dorlak continued to serve in 2024 and that Attorney Matthew Gerlinski will be the city prosecutor moving forward after prior staffing changes. She reported that the court handled 49 appearances (for the period cited) and that receipts from those appearances exceeded $108,000 — about $22,000 more than 2023 — a rise Housen attributed to processing roughly 200–525 more tickets than the previous year as recorded by staff. Housen said the police department’s grant activity contributed to higher ticketing in categories such as speeding (552 tickets in the year), seat belt enforcement (about 60 tickets) and operating‑while‑intoxicated (about 35 tickets).
A number of enforcement and collection actions contributed to increased revenue, Housen said: suspending registrations/driver’s licenses to encourage payment (774 suspensions in the last year), and use of Department of Revenue programs (state debt and tax intercept). She said the state debt program — used since February 2016 — has helped the city recover more than $800,000 over time. Housen also said parking‑ticket volumes rose because of a shortage of parking at Vasa Fitness and several large events (roller derby, soccer) that drew more vehicles.
Looking ahead, Housen said the court aims to improve communication with non‑English speakers after two recent cases with defendants who did not speak English, to institute a dedicated trial day (instead of tacking trials onto the end of court), to cross‑train clerks, and to continue consistent enforcement and collection practices while evaluating security measures. Committee members thanked Housen for the presentation; no formal action was taken on this informational update.
Direct quote from the presentation: “Our courtroom staff, as you can see on this first slide, is, Judge Joseph Dorlak. That's been consistent through 2024,” Housen said. She also summarized enforcement tools: “We can issue warrants for arrests, but we just haven't been utilizing that as our primary focus for trying to get people to collect. We have better ways to do things. And that is through the Department of Revenue.”
