ADOPTED - JUNE 10, 2003

Agenda Item No. 17

Introduced by the Judiciary and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL OF CONSOLIDATING INGHAM COUNTY 55^TH DISTRICT COURT AND EAST LANSING 54-B DISTRICT COURT

RESOLUTION #03-158

WHEREAS, the Ingham County 55^th and the East Lansing 54-B District Courts are of similar size yet have disparate caseloads; and

WHEREAS, a sharing of judicial resources by considering consolidation of or appropriate agreements between the two courts may result in a positive outcome that more evenly distributes caseloads in the affected areas, resulting in an improved judicial system for the public, cost efficiencies for the funding units, and more effective use of judicial resources for the Courts; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners has identified as one of their 2004 budget priorities "Explore improved service to citizens and efficiencies and cost savings in the use of judicial resources by considering consolidation of or appropriate agreements between the Ingham County 55^th and the East Lansing 54-B District Courts"; and

WHEREAS, in order to accomplish this review of the Courts, a detailed study of the expense and revenues associated with the operation of the two courts and all other pertinent issues will have to be conducted and an acceptable agreement reached between the funding units.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners requests the East Lansing City Council to adopt a resolution which formally expresses their interest in considering a consolidation of the District Courts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners reaffirms its interest in the consolidation of 54-B and 55th District Courts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be forwarded to the State Court Administrators Office (SCAO), the City of East Lansing, 54-B District Court, and the 55th District Court.

JUDICIARY: Yeas: Stid, Thomas, Holman, Weatherwax-Grant, Nevin

Nays: Schafer Absent: None Approved 5/29/03

FINANCE: Yeas: Grebner, Swope, Dedden, Hertel, Thomas

Nays: None Absent: Minter Approved 6/4/03