Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #



Columbus Consolidated Government





Council Meeting



04/12/2005



Agenda Report #



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Juvenile Court Supervisory Fees - General Fund Amendment



INITIATED BY: Finance







Recommendation: Approve a budget amendment of $16,068 to the General

Fund that will increase expenditures from $123,313,467 to $123,329,535 for

juvenile court supervisory fees. This will also increase the Superior Court

budget from $ 5,772,920 to $ 5,788,988.



Background: State of Georgia law (O.C.G.A ?15-11-71) gives juvenile

courts in Georgia the ability to collect supervision fees from those who are

placed under the courts? formal or informal supervision. Theses fees may be

used for the following types of ancillary services: housing in nonsecure

facilities that meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. ? 15-11-48; Educational

services; Counseling and diagnostic testing; Mediation; Transportation to and

from court ordered services; Restitution programming; and job development.

In the fall, the Circuit Wide Juvenile Court started imposing the fees upon

juveniles in the Court. The fees have been deposited in a separate revenue

account designated as Juvenile Court Supervisory Fees. The law specifies that

the fees be appropriated to Juvenile Courts for the Courts? discretionary use

to provide supplemental community based services only as they have been

outlined above. As provided in the charter and state law, only Council has the

authority to change spending levels. This budget amendment is necessary to

modify budgets and set up appropriations for expenditures since the financial

system will only allow expenditures to be made if budgets are available.

Additionally, at the end of the fiscal year, the monies unspent must be set

aside to continue Juvenile Court services.



Analysis: This budget ordinance will change the General Fund budget from

$123,313,467 to $123,329,535, which will be an increase of $16,068. It will

increase the Superior Court departmental budget by the same amount to $

5,788,988.



Financial Considerations: Juvenile Court started imposing the fees in March

2004. Year-to-date, $16,068 has been collected. This is a new revenue

source, which had been unbudgeted.



Legal Considerations: O.C.G.A. ?15-11-71 outlines the purpose and the manner

in which the supervisory fees may be imposed and spent.



Recommendations/ Actions: Approve a budget amendment of $16,068 to the

General Fund that will increase expenditures from $123,313,467 to $123, 329,535

for juvenile court supervisory fees.