Commissioners, court to implement court security fees

Wahkiakum County commissioners agreed Tuesday to implement a series of assessments on persons sentenced to jail in order to raise funds for court security.

District court Judge Bill Faubion presented the proposal, which carried support from Superior Court Judge Michael Sullivan.

The judges have implemented a program using two retired law enforcement officers to search persons entering the courtroom when court is in session. Commissioners have funded the program reluctantly and urged the judges to find a source of funds for the expense.

Faubion said the judges will implement a $100 fee on warrant preparation and service for persons who fail to appear in court and fees ranging from $25 to $100 for court security restitution for each offender convicted of a crime.

There will also be a $20 per day fee for subsistence for prisoners lodged in the Wahkiakum County Jail.

The fees should raise close to $14,750 a year, Faubion said.

The courts have already been imposing some of the fees, Faubion said, but to implement them fully, commissioners need to pass an ordinance directing their distribution, which would be shared between court security and the County Current Expense Fund.

Commissioners agreed to ask Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow to prepare the resolution.

"I'm impressed that you found a creative way to fund court security," said commission Chair Lisa Marsyla. "This is a pretty good proposal."

In other business Tuesday:

--Commissioners discussed focuses with the chair of the County Property Rights Advisory Committee and settled positions for two members.

The board approved the resignation of Sulema Zerr from the committee. Two new appointees' positions had been unsettled, and the board named Debi Harlin to fill the position vacated by Lily Kolditz and Doug Silvers to an at-large position.

Committee Chair Art Hyland reported that the committee had discussed the commission's suggestion to review the proposed comprehensive plan update. The committee, Hyland said, thought it would be necessary to review the existing 1984 plan first.

Committee members also wondered what the commissioners thought were the problems which the plan should address and further, what is the purpose of a comprehensive plan.

"The comp plan seems to be more of an informational document, good for putting things in perspective," Hyland said.

The comprehensive plan has helped citizens and the commission justify land use activities and where they're located, said Commissioner Dan Cothren.

Hyland said the committee would look into the plan, and members were also interested in looking into Agenda 21. "That's a United Nations program which has gradually made its way in general terms into all counties," Hyland said. "It has an interesting influence on land use."