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Zillah approves contract with Douglas K. Garrison to serve as municipal judge despite higher projected court costs
Summary
The council approved Resolution No. 2025-14 on July 7, 2025, authorizing a contract with Douglas K. Garrison as Presiding Judge and reaffirming the intent to keep the Zillah Municipal Court local; staff warned projected 2026 court personnel costs of $132,585 and total court/legal costs of $202,709.
The Zillah City Council on July 7 approved Resolution No. 2025-14 authorizing the mayor to sign a contract with Douglas K. Garrison to serve as Presiding Judge of the Zillah Municipal Court. The resolution passed unanimously in the council business meeting.
City staff briefed the council during the study session that Presiding Judge Therese Murphy is retiring after about ten years of service and that maintaining local court services would increase costs. Staff materials presented a projected 2026 personnel cost of $132,585 and total Court and Legal Services costs estimated at $202,709. Councilmembers asked the Finance Committee to explore funding options and potential alternatives; staff also noted any change in court services requires notification to the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
