HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 08-054-CCBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A DISPUTE ) RESOLUTION NO. 08- oSg� -CC
RESOLUTION CENTER IN DISTRICT COURT ) ORDINANCE NO. 08- ���L, -CC
AND ON SMALL CLAIMS ACTIONS AND, OTHER ) �
MATTERS PROPERLY RELATING THERETO. )
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, Grant County, Washington (County), is a Class 3 county, duly organized and
operated under the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature found resolution of many disputes can be costly and complex in
a judicial setting where the parties involved are necessarily in an adversarial posture and subject to
formalized procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature found alternate dispute resolution centers (DRC) can meet the
needs of Washington's citizens by providing forums in which persons may voluntarily participate in
the resolution of disputes in an informal and less adversarial atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, chapter 7.75 RCW empowers county commissioners, as the legislative
authority of counties, to authorize the establishment of a DRC within its jurisdiction, and impose a
surcharge on civil filing fees in District Court and small claims actions, to augment funding of same;
and
WHEREAS, chapter 7.75 RCW requires the DRC submit an Operation Plan (OP) to the
legislative authority of counties creating a DRC, describing how the DRC will function within the
jurisdiction for the mediation and settlement of disputes; and
WHEREAS, the Columbia Basin Dispute Resolution Center (CBDRC), a group of
volunteers organized as a non-profit organization exclusively for the resolution of disputes through
mediation and other tasks authorized pursuant to chapter 7.75 RCW, submitted its OP to the Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC); and
WHEREAS, the cumulative costs to the court system to process legal disputes whieh could
otherwise be resolved pursuant to an alternative dispute resolution process can be a burden on
government; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC found and determined that it is the best interest of the citizens of
Grant County to establish a forum for resolution of disputes that is less formal and adversarial than a
traditional courtroom setting, with speedier resolution of issues at less cost; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC found and determined a DRC will relieve congested and overly
taxed court systems, saving taxpayers the unnecessary expenditure of public funds and, permitting
those who require access to the court system a more streamlined process for resolution of disputes;
and
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WHEREAS, the BOCC found and determined the OP submitted by the CBDRC adequately
prescribes statutory requirements set forth in RCW 7.75.020,
WHEREAS, the BOCC found and determined that Grant County government, the courts and
the public, will all benefit from the creation of a DRC in Grant County, and funding for a local DRC
from the imposition of a surcharge on civil filings in District Court and on small claims actions,
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDAINED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS adopt this ordinance/resolution.
Section 1. Creation Of DRC. The BOCC hereby authorizes the creation and operation of a
DRC within Grant County pursuant to chapter 7.75 RCW, to be known as the Columbia Basin
Dispute Resolution Center.
Section 2. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance/resolution, or its application to any
person, party or circurnstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance/resolution or the
application of provisions to other persons, parties or circumstance, shall not be affected.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance/resolution shall take effect the 24th day of June,
2008.
A public hearing was held on the above ordinance/resolution at 10:00 am on the 24t�' day of
June, 2008.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE GRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS pass and adopt this ordinance/resolution on the 24th day oi June, 2008.
Yea Nay
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ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Abstain GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
❑ ,
Richard B, Stevens, Chair
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Barbara J. Vasquez, lerk of the Board
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Cindy C.�� arter, Vice Chair
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LeRoy C. Allison, Me r
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