To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Jessica Clemens, Director of Court Finance
title
RE: Approval of a grant award from the Michigan Supreme Court, in the amount of $81,774.00, to provide for the continuation of the Virtual Backlog Response Docket at Genesee County's 7th Circuit Court
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Acknowledge and accept an additional grant award from the Michigan Supreme Court, in the amount of $81,774.00 to the 7th Judicial Circuit Court, for the continuation of the Virtual Backlog Response Docket. A copy of the award accompanies this submission.
BACKGROUND:
The Circuit Court developed a backlog of criminal cases arising from restrictions on court operation during the COVID 19 pandemic. As the court continues to focus on the most serious criminal cases, often involving jury trials and the defendant in custody, a backlog of less serious felony cases has increased. RESO 23-166 was approved on 4/26/2023 for the initial awarded amount of $593,301.00. On March 27, 2023 the term was extended to utilize funds through 12/31/2024
DISCUSSION:
This grant will allow the Circuit Court to continue to create a criminal docket of selected cases that have been pending >91 days and have not reached a disposition.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
A budget amendment is attached. There is not a grant match required.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This will provide community growth and financial stability by attending to cases that were backlogged due to the COVID 19 pandemic
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the 7th Circuit Court Director of Court Finance to authorize amending the contract between the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office and the 7th Circuit Court of Genesee County for the second time, said second amendment being necessary to accept an additional grant award, in the amount of $81,774.00 with no match requirement, and to extend the contract term for the period commencing November 22, 2024, through December 31, 2026, to continue implementing a Virtual Backlog Response Docket, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the January 8, 2025 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), this Board ratifies the Circuit Court Administrator’s November 11, 2024 signature on the contract amendment, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget.