HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007 (07) RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A FOURTH JUDGESHIP
FOR ST. CROIX COUNTY
Resolution No. 7 t OC1
ST. CROIX COUNTY, WISCONSIN
WHEREAS, St. Croix County has experienced and p nd continues to
experience exceptional population growth since 1994, the year that this county
received its third Circuit Court Judgeship; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County leads the State of Wisconsin with the
highest estimated population growth rate of 23.5% from April 1, 2000 to January
1, 2006; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County is the 78 fastest growing county in the
United States based on estimated population growth between April 1, 2000 to
July 1, 2005; and
WHEREAS, as of December 31, 2006, State - weighted caseload statistics
indicate that St. Croix County has judicial need for 4.76 judges; and
WHEREAS, caseloads in St. Croix County in the area of felony and
misdemeanor criminal, major civil, family, and other time - intensive subject areas
have increased; and
WHEREAS, these increased caseloads have resulted in substantial
delays in scheduling and timely resolution of cases; and
WHEREAS, despite utilizing court commissioners and creative scheduling
procedures and practices, St. Croix County has a critical need for an additional
judgeship; and
WHEREAS, the projected increased population growth of the county will
cause significant increases in future caseloads of the courts of this county; and
WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors is committed to
providing the necessary court facilities and support staff should an additional
circuit court judgeship be created and the State declines to supply sufficient
funding for those facilities and support staff; and
WHEREAS, at present, the St. Croix County Government Center has the
prerequisite fourth courtroom available for a fourth circuit court judge, together
with sufficient room for necessary accompanying support personnel; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2005, a similar resolution was adopted by the
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors and this resolution is intended to affirm the
Board's resolve and determination to have a fourth judgeship in St. Croix County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Board
of Supervisors urges the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor James Doyle to
create a fourth branch of circuit court for St. Croix County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded
to Governor James Doyle, Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Senator Sheila
Harsdorf, Representative Kitty Rhoades, Representative Ann Hraychuck,
Representative John Murtha, and A. John Voelker, Director of State Courts.
Offered by the Finance Committee on March 20, 2007.
YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT SUPERVISOR SIGN •; U'
1 I Stan Krueger
4 - '2' -
Ix I I I I 1 n Esther Wentz . ,
NCI I
Clarence Ma lick L A_
I 1 1 I 1 1 1 I Daryl Standafer
1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 Tom Caflisch
This Resolution was adoptedN the St. Croix County
Reviewed by Corporation Counsel on 3 ~ r - Q 7 Board of Supervisors on '1
Greg Ti erman, Corporation Counsel Cindy Campbell; County Clerk
• STATE OF WISCONSIN
COUNTY OF ST. CROIX
1, Cindy Campbell, St. Croix
County Clerk, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that
the feyegoing is a true an corr t copy \ of
— 2 �a"dc) 1
adopted by the County Board of Supervisors
at their meeting.held -: 6.5 ..3ed
Cindy CampbYel, St Croix C Clerk °
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