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Council raises victim/witness assistance disbursement limit to $1,000
Summary
Council approved an ordinance increasing the Victim and Witness Assistance and Law Enforcement Board's individual disbursement cap from $500 to $1,000, citing fund balance from court surcharge revenue and the need to better cover deductibles.
City Clerk Ryan Muse and finance staff explained that the Victim and Witness Assistance and Law Enforcement Board currently caps reimbursements to victims of property damage/loss at $500. Staff proposed increasing that cap to $1,000 so the board can provide more meaningful assistance; the fund is supported by a municipal court surcharge and typically budgets around $25,000 annually, with some fund balance available.
Council discussion noted that the $500 cap often failed to cover insurance deductibles and that increasing the cap would better assist victims without exhausting the fund. Mayor Pro Tem Salinski, who said she has sat on the board, supported the change as a pragmatic adjustment to the evolving cost landscape.
Council moved and voted to approve the ordinance increasing the disbursement cap to $1,000. No public comment was recorded on the item.
