City Of Alexandria, Virginia
_____________
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 Courthouse with City staff. On September 24, 2015, based on the walkthrough of the facility and supporting documentation provided by the City, the Virginia Department of General Services (VA-DGS) certified that the Alexandria Courthouse, including the General District, Circuit Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court are in non-compliance with all of the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines, Second Edition. Under State law, this certification of non-compliance by the VA-DGS authorizes the City to assess and collect an additional $3 courthouse filing fee for courthouse construction or renovation in addition to the $2 fee already authorized for courthouse construction and maintenance for a total of $5.
The additional $3 courthouse filing fee, or $5 total, is the maximum authorized by the 2009 General Assembly for localities to assess and collect for courthouse construction or renovation.
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed increase in the Courthouse filing fee from the current $2 to $5 will generate an estimated $70,000 in additional revenue annually, for a total of approximately $120,000 per year, which can be used to correct the non-compliant items identified in the VA-DGS inspection report and/or other construction, renovation or maintenance requirements at the Courthouse.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Cover
2. Ordinance
STAFF:
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Jeremy McPike, Director, General Services
Alfred Coleman, Deputy Director, General Services