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• A self-help kiosk to show clients how to print and e-sign, saving time and alleviating <br /> traffic in the lobby <br /> Judge Neff explained the municipal court's other 2023 objectives that will modernize the court <br /> and allow for more efficiency. The court will work on e-filing, faster processes, electronic <br /> journal entries, and access to court services. There are also plans to update conference rooms and <br /> office spaces. <br /> Judge Neff explained that the biggest expenses of the budget are the public defenders, staff, and <br /> software. The budget also includes on-site training with an IT consultant, including the <br /> consultant's travel and hotel expenses. <br /> Councilmember Litten and Judge Neff spoke about the positive relationship the municipal court <br /> has with the administration and council and the importance of these conversations for budget <br /> planning. <br /> Councilmember Bullock clarified with Judge Neff that the public defender is a contractual <br /> service rather than an employee. A grant will cover two part-time public defenders and there will <br /> be future conversations about the sustainability of the position. <br /> Councilmember Kepple expressed her appreciation of Judge Neff receiving this outside grant <br /> money. She asked about the company the municipal court will use to digitize paperwork and <br /> mentioned that council has been looking to digitize files as well. <br /> Administrator Russo and Judge Neff explained that the municipal court did apply for the full <br /> $559,000 of the grant but was only awarded $425,000. Some objectives had to be paired back to <br /> afford other objectives. <br /> Law Department <br /> Law Director Vargo explained that personnel take up the largest line item of the department's <br /> budget. Next is professional services, which includes outside legal fees. Director Vargo <br /> expressed that the outside legal fees are the one area over which the Law Department can exert <br /> some control. Things do happen that are outside of the department's control, like the Marine <br /> Towers collapse. In this case, outside counsel was necessary. For next year, the goal is to give <br /> the highest scrutiny to matters internally before going to outside counsel. He mentioned that the <br /> budget is $87,000 higher than last year's budget but is below last year's spend. <br /> Chair Shachner asked Director Vargo what the city has spent in 2022 on outside counsel. <br /> Director Vargo explained that Lakewood has spent around $140,000 to $145,000. He believed <br /> that the budget set last year, before his term, was a rational budget. The Marine Tower situation <br /> was not anticipated. Additionally, there was an unexpected arbitration with one of the city's <br /> unions. Director Vargo committed to providing more services in house in 2023. <br /> Councilmember Litten confirmed with Director Vargo that by January I st, every position in the <br /> department would be full. The only part-time position will be in the law clerk's, with the ability <br /> 2 <br />