HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 97-007-CCBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION INCREASING
MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE
Grant County, Washington
RESOLUTION NO. 97- 7 -CC
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners find that increasing violence
in the United States, State of Washington and Grant County causes great concern for
the immediate health, safety and welfare of the public; and
WHEREt�S, in response to the ever increasing violence, the judicial system
iinds itself faced with increasing numbers of �ro se litigants in actions involving
domestic relations; and
WHEREAS, in response to the ever increasing violence, the judicial system is
processing increasing numbers of requests f�om �ro se for protection orders, etc. ;
and
WHEREAS, many of the pro se litigants, unversed in the litigation process are
unable to accurately select and complete appropriate forms necessary for litiga�ion;
and
WHEREAS, unprepared pro se litigants cause many delays in the judicial
system, and wastes precious judicial resources and increases the expenses of those
who have hired counsel; and
WHEREAS, unpreparec� �ro se litigants are often required to repeatedly return
to court to litigate issues because of their lack of ability to select the proper forms
and/or fill out the proper forms; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners believe Grant County would beziefit
from a court "facilitator," who could aid �ro se litigants in actions involving domestic
relations and those parties seeking protection orders, with the selection and
completion of appropriate forms and necessary paperwork; and
RES. INCREASING MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE - 1
WHEREAS, the judges' time and other Grant County resources could be used
more effectively if the time spent on repeatedly handling �ro se matters was reduced;
and
WHEREAS, attorneys and others using the judicial system would find that their
time and costs would also be reduced by eliminating some of the unnecessary court
time required by unprepared � se litigants; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners desire to create the position of court
facilitator in the Grant County Clerk's Office, to review and recommend forms and
offer other assistance surrounding �ro se litigants involved in domestic matters,
seeking protection orders, or other court orders designed to prevent domesi:ic
violenee; and
WHEREAS, the County is undergoing constant and increased pressures on its
limited fiseal xesources, to provide important government services, including criminal
justice services, which prompt the policy choice set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the County desires to make the wisest use of its limited fiscal
resources; and
WHEREAS, ever inereasing demands on Grant County government coupled with
shrinking resources prevent the funding of the new position of court facilitator in the
County Clerk's Office from conventional funding sources; and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of counties in this state have a court
facilitator; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Supreme Court is promoting the placement of
a court facilitator in each county in the State by the end of this calendar year; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners, as the legislative authority of Grant
Counl:y, is empowered by RCW 26.04.160(2} with the authority to impose an additional
fee of up to Fifteen and No/100 Dollars ($15.00) on each marriage license for the
purpose of funding family services; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners find that the funding of a court
facilitator with revenues from RCW 26.04.160(2) is within the contemplation of the
legislators' intent; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners find that a court facilitator can assist
those families who find themselves involved in domestic situations requiring the
attention of the judicial system .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners
of Grant County that there is hereby established an increase in the amount of Fifteen
and No/100 Dollars ($15.00) io the current fee for marriage licenses, raising the fee
to a total of Forty-Six and No/100 Dollars ($46.00), effective February 1, 1997, and
IT, IS, FURTHER RESOLVED, that the inerease in the amount of Fifteen and
No/100 Dollars ($15.00) for marriage licenses shall be applied towards funding the
court facilitator position.
RES. INCREASING MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE - 2
ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County,
Washington, this � day of January, 1997.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Le oy C. Allison, ChaYr
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Helen Fancher, Member
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Tim Sn d, Me ,ber
ATTEST :
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Peggy gg, Clerk�/ the Board
APPROVED AS TO F �M ONLY:
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ut�r, rosecuting Attorney
RES . INCREASING MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE - 3