Title
Approval of an Ordinance Establishing the Municipal Court Judge’s Salary
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code Section 2.14.030 to automatically adjust the Municipal Court Judge’s Salary to reflect any future adjustments on the effective date set by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code Section 2.14.030 to automatically adjust the Municipal Court Judge’s Salary to reflect any future adjustments on the effective date set by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.
Staff Contact:
Annaliese Harksen, Deputy City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Background and Analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
Pursuant to RCW 2.56.030, a city qualifies for State contribution to a municipal court judge’s salary if the judge is serving in an elected position and if the city has certified that the judge is compensated at a rate of at least 95% of a district court judge’s salary.
Pursuant to Chapter 43.30 RCW, the salary of a district court judge is set by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (the Commission) for a two-year term, which is typically effective September 1 of each year. However, to correct disproportionate lags in compensation in previous years, the Commission changed the effective date of the salary schedule for the years 2019 and 2020 to July 1.
It is staff’s understanding that the effective date of future adjustments will return to September 1 for ensuing two-year terms. To better administer such a potential scenario in the future, staff recommends the Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) be amended to automatically adjust the Municipal Court Judge’s salary to reflect any future adjustments on the effective date set by the Commission.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None
Options:
1. Approve the ordinance amending OMC Section 2.14.030. This will automatically adjust the Municipal Court Judge’s salary to reflect any future adjustments on the effective date set by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials
2. Do not approve the amendment to OMC 2.14.030. If the OMC is left unchanged, the Municipal Court Judge’s salary will not qualify for contribution because it will fall below the 95% threshold required for contribution.
Financial Impact:
The budget impact is approximately $5,000 for the 2019 budget year. However, the City will lose approximately $20,000 if the OMC is left unchanged and the City fails to qualify for the State contribution.
Attachments:
Ordinance