City Of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 29, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Fee Increases for Courthouse Filings to be Charged to the General Public for FY 2017.
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to increase the courthouse filing fee charged to the general public from a maximum of $2 to a maximum of $5.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council pass the proposed ordinance on first reading on May 5, and schedule for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 14. The new fee will be effective July 1, 2016.
BACKGROUND: The 2009 General Assembly provided a process for localities to assess and collect an additional $3 in courthouse filing fees to be utilized for courthouse construction or renovations in addition to the $2 courthouse filing fee already authorized for courthouse construction and maintenance for a total of $5. The additional $3, however can only be imposed if the Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) certifies the courthouse as non-compliant with the safety and security guidelines contained in the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines.
DISCUSSION: On September 14, 2015, the Department of General Services, on behalf of the City, submitted an application to the State to have the Alexandria Courthouse evaluated to determine compliance with current safety and security guidelines contained in the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines, per Section 17.1-281 of the Code of Virginia in order to be authorized to impose the additional $3 courthouse filing fee to provide funding for renovation, construction or capital maintenance needs at the Alexandria Courthouse.
On September 23, 2015, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of General Services conducted a walkthrough of the Alexandria Court...
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