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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 �� � Le oy C. Allison, ChaYr f� ��`�IC'�'�.,� �.__-�`/.�%!�?L''.�.�-'�y,�' Helen Fancher, Member ,, ._ �,.ad,�,.�.., �- � 6/�.n �a� ,�, /� Tim Sn d, Me ,ber ATTEST : � s Peggy gg, Clerk�/ the Board APPROVED AS TO F �M ONLY: � �,� -a-- � ' �,% �,�"�i � : v � �.r,�..,� ut�r, rosecuting Attorney RES . INCREASING MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE - 3