JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

2:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Joe Bilskemper, Tara Johnson, Joe Veenstra           

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Ray Ebert, Bridget Flood, Maureen Freedland         

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Pam Radtke, Jeff Wolf, Steve O’Malley, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Johnson/Bilskemper to approve minutes of July 8 and July 17, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; excused:  Ebert, Flood, Freedland. 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Bilskemper/Veenstra to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:

• Criminal Justice Management Council Executive Committee minutes of July 9, 2008
• LEC Construction Committee minutes of July 8, 2008

Motion carried unanimously; excused:  Ebert, Flood, Freedland. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

PRESENTATION / ORIENTATION BY CLERK OF COURTS

Pam Radtke gave an overview of the Clerk of Courts; highlights as follows:

·         The office is the custodial of the court records.

·         Collects various fees, fines and forfeitures as ordered by the court.

·         On the WI Circuit Court Access Program (WCCAP) - an on-line record system since 1992; also on an interface system with the DA’s Office called Protect.

·         Working on new technology of putting all of the bonds on software system as handled in-house by the County IT Dept.  Currently, hardcopies housed in Dispatch Center    Not many counties keep track of bonds. 

·         Started in 2007 in scanning files that need to be kept for more than 20 years.

·         Oversees jury management; jurors are selected on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays of each month.  On occasion, also selected to coordinate sequestered juries by other counties.  On September 8, the State is promoting Juror Appreciation Day and is asking all counties to participate.

·         In 2004, started using the Wisconsin tax intercept program as well as started with a collection agency in 2007.  Both are assisting in retrieving past due fines, etc.

·         There is a concern with use of court appointed attorneys who are used mainly for the indigent; the associated costs are County responsibility.  Estimate $250,000 loss for 2008, so County staff, judges, etc. are discussing alternatives/options.

·         Overall, the Clerk of Courts has good working relationship with the affiliated offices of Sheriff, District Attorney, Judges, Family Court Commissioner, etc.

Miscellaneous discussion and questions. 

RESOLUTION RE:  FUNDING OF WIRELESS EMERGENCY 911 SURCHARGES

Committee Chair Burke noted this was brought to her attention by Jay Loeffler; there is an effort amongst all counties to approve similar resolutions.  Current funding for wireless emergency 911 surcharges is scheduled to end on November 30, 2008.  There is an estimated shortfall of $36,527 in the 2009 County budget.  With more and more 911 calls coming in on cell phones, there is a need to replace and upgrade computer hardware and software for wireless emergency 911 calls.  The resolution is requesting the State legislature to extend the current wireless surcharge until the issue of all 911 funding can be addressed with new legislation.  MOTION by Bilskemper/Veenstra to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; excused:  Ebert, Flood, Freedland. 

RESOLUTION RE: REQUESTING THE STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS FOR STATE PROBATION AND PAROLE PRISONERS HELD IN THE LA CROSSE COUNTY JAIL

Committee Chair Burke noted the resolution relates to need for additional funding from the State.  MOTION by Johnson/Bilskemper to approve the resolution.  Since 1993 and per State Statutes, the State is to reimburse counties $40/day for housing Probation/Parole inmates; the State puts a lump sum into their budget for this purpose.  At year end, counties count their total number of days for housing State inmates and turn their requests into the State.  The State takes their budgeted figure and divides that amount amongst all counties.  In recent years, La Crosse County has not received $40/day (more in range of $31-32/day.)  The resolution is requesting the State Dept. of Corrections to increase the daily rate payments for State prisoners held in county jails to reflect true costs of housing State inmates.  Chief Deputy Wolf noted number of days has been reduced, but that relates to good working relationship with the local Probation/Parole staff in their efforts in freeing up jail beds.   Motion carried unanimously; excused:  Ebert, Flood, Freedland. 

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Supervisor Bilskemper requested a report on unsolved homicides in La Crosse County.  Steve O’Malley suggested, in addition, an overview of the Sheriff’s Dept. Investigation Unit.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, September 9^th at 2:30 p.m.

NEXT LEC CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING

Today, August 12^th at 4:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Bilskemper/Veenstra to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; excused:  Ebert, Flood, Freedland.  The meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m. 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder