Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Courts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County to cover shortfall for youth‑court support staff as legislature delays dispersal
Summary
Because a repeal in the youth-court statute prevents the Supreme Court from releasing allocated support funds, the board approved using county detention/pension revenue to cover up to $10,248.86 in payroll for one employee through September while awaiting legislative action or a special session.
A county official told the board that recent legislative changes left the Supreme Court without authority to disperse the usual youth‑court support funds for this fiscal year. Without those funds, the county would lose approximately $68,000 allocated in the budget for youth-court support for counties with county-court judges.
The official requested that supervisors allow the county to use available detention or pension revenue to cover payroll and fringes for a long‑time staff member whose position is partly funded by the youth‑court support allocation. The shortfall through the end of the fiscal year (three payrolls) was estimated at up to $10,248.86; the official said staff will re‑examine accounts and attempt to reduce that figure before drawing funds.
"As of July 1st, if the legislature hasn't done anything by July 1st, then the county won't be getting those funds until they act on it," the court official told the board. Members discussed the likelihood of a special legislative session and acknowledged the county may need to include the shortfall in next fiscal year's budget if relief is not forthcoming.
On a motion by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Miller, the board authorized the suggested internal transfers and directed staff to track the shortfall for potential budget amendment in October if state funds remain unavailable.
The county will revisit the issue if the legislature or Supreme Court releases the funds before the new budget cycle.
