| By Big Radio News Staff |
Rock County Circuit Court officials want Gov. Tony Evers to consider more funding for courthouse needs as he brushes up the new biennial state budget.
The county’s Public Safety and Justice Committee is recommending the county board OK a draft county resolution that Rock County Clerk of Courts Amanda Nelson say the advisory resolution would be in lockstep with the state’s Counties Association and Court Clerk’s Association on funding for circuit courts.
The groups are seeking circuit courts to chip in local support on the lobbying effort.
The county’s lobbying resolution goes to the full county board on Thursday.
Among funding priorities for Rock County Circuit Court, committee members say the county wants to be sure Evers’ budget would help cover part of major audio-visual upgrades to courtrooms.
The county has estimated the work could cost $800,000. And while that cost is being mostly covered by extra interest revenue and proceeds from sale of the now demolished former Rock County Job Center, the county hopes to see state funding that would reimburse part of the cost.
In the past, A.V. projects were funded through county Information Technology cash. But the cost of tech projects now is paid by the county department doing the work.
Also, the county continues to grapple with higher costs for court-appointed language interpreters and court-appointed defense attorneys. There’s a statewide shortage for both those courthouse roles, and officials have said that has led to delays in criminal cases and cost overruns.
Wisconsin state law currently has no cap on the amount language interpreters can charge the court for their services.
Typically, the state refunds about 20% of such county spending. In its lobbying effort, the county, and the county county and circuit clerks’ association are asking Evers to move closer to a 50/50 cost split on reimbursement aid.
County Board member Mike Schwarz was the lone committee member voting against the recommended open letter to Evers. He says he’s philosophically opposed to the county lobbying for money from taxpayers statewide.
Schwarz was the board member who initially introduced the county plan to upgrade the courtroom A.V. system.
