Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #__________



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

July 16, 2002





Agenda Report#__________





TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL



SUBJECT: Environmental Court



INITIATED BY: City Manager?s Office

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Recommendation: Create an Environmental Court Division within the Recorder?s

Court to hear environmental cases at 9:00 AM on the first Wednesday and 2:00 PM

on the third Wednesdays of each month.



Background: An Environmental Court Project Action Committee was formed to make

recommendation regarding the development of an Environmental Court Division.



Analysis: The Committee after considering many alternatives and analyzing

many factors concluded that the above proposal would be the most beneficial.



Financial Considerations: The recommendation of the Committee will require an

allocation of $3,598.00 to cover cost associated with the addition of two court

sessions per month for 12 months. These cost are as follows:



24 sessions at $139.23 per session = $3,342.00

FICA & Medicare 7.65% = $ 256.00



Total $3,598.00



Legal Considerations: The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia has the

authority to create an Environmental Court Division within the Recorder?s

Court.



Recommendation/Action: Create an Environmental Court Division within the

Recorder?s Court to hear environmental cases at 9:00 AM on the first Wednesday

and 2:00 PM on third Wednesday of each month.