08-27-2003 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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options that will work for everyone. We are all hopeful that we can identify some options that will meet everyone's needs. To do so will require that we continue to work cooperatively to examine all options. The Court is facing a very real and substantial budget problem. This problem is uch broader than just the suburban court operations. Part of the work of ue Bench /Board committee has been to look at what other costs in the Court's budget are driven by facilities and the multiple locations for Court functions. We are currently examining how much of our budget problem can be solved by making facilities changes in areas other than the suburban court operations. To realize savings will require action by the Bench and the County Board to consolidate various other facilities and operations. We should have estimates of the savings that can be attributed to various options in early September. It is possible that those savings will go a long way toward solving the problem. Before we have that information, it is premature to make any final decision on our ability to continue to operate a suburban facility. I do want to thank everyone who has been involved in the recent meetings to try to find solutions to our mutual problems. These meetings have been helpful in bringing to light new approaches that deserve serious consideration. The suburban police chiefs have been particularly instrumental in this effort. I first net with them over a year ago to explain the potential budget problems for the Court as we made the transition from County to State funding. We discussed then that State funding would make continued Court operations in the suburbs a problem. I remain hopeful that we can yet find a workable solution. Judge J. Thomas Mott Chief Judge, 2nd Judicial District 1010 Ramsey County Courthouse 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102 Telephone 651- 266 -9187 Fax 651 - 767 -8939 'mail: thomas.mott @courts.state.mn.us 2 7