AGENDA DATE: 6/19/2019
TITLE:
Title
Circuit Court Agreement and Supplemental Funding Request
B
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize the Circuit Court to hire a full-time legal services assistant to assist new judge
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Kamptner, Letteri, Allshouse L., Bowman, Taylor
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County is part of the Sixteenth Judicial District of Virginia and is served by a Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and Magistrate's Office. In addition to Albemarle County, the 16th District includes the City of Charlottesville, and Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison and Orange Counties. Currently, Albemarle County's Circuit Court is served by one full time judge, Cheryl Higgins, whose salary and benefits are covered by the State Compensation Board ("Comp Board"). As is usual and customary in Virginia, the County also supports expenditures of the court that are not covered by the Compensation Board, such as the salary and benefits of a full-time legal assistant for Judge Higgins.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: Recently, due to increasing caseloads, the State appointed a second judge, Claude Worrell, to assist the localities of Albemarle, Greene, and the City of Charlottesville. As with other judges appointed to the district, the salary and benefit costs associated with the new judge will be covered in full by the State Comp Board. Judge Worrell has approached the localities to which he is assigned with a request to fund a full-time legal services assistant to assist him with administrative duties customarily required with circuit court operations. Further, given that he will be sitting...
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