Los Alamos Municipal Judge Alan Kirk answers questions from Council on his proposed FY-2016 budget, which he reduced by 6 percent from his adopted FY2015 budget. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Municipal Judge Alan Kirk at the podium speaking with Council as County officials, staff and a few members of the public listen. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Los Alamos County Council voted 7-0 this evening to tentitively approve the proposed FY-2016 budget for the Los Alamos Municipal Court.

The Municipal Court makes up 1 percent of the general fund. Its FY-2015 adopted budget is $491,137and the FY-2016 proposed budget is reduced by 6 percent to $460,047.

In FY16, the electronic monitoring and drug testing program costs are moved to the General Fund budget. These programs are offset by revenues. The Office Specialist position split between the General Fund and the Bench Warrant Sub-Fund now includes more time on Bench Warrant activities and this accounts for the higher budget in the Bench Warrant Sub-Fund.

Contractual Services decreased because of the move of the cost of a copy machine going to the Information Management Department, and a reduction in software maintenance.

The Municipal Court handles traffic, DWI, animal control and other violations of the Municipal Code.  Municipal Court is established by the County Charter, as authorized and required by state law.

The Court has jurisdiction over petty misdemeanors created by the County Council in the form of ordinances collected in the County code and violated within the boundaries of Los Alamos County.

The Municipal Court is capable of handling citations/criminal complaints from the Police Department, Animal Control, Code Enforcement, Building Inspector and the Fire Marshall.