Council eliminates Superior Court seat

Tuesday Nov 03 2009 3:25 PM

In light of Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Hecht's felony conviction and subsequent resignation, the County Council today unanimously passed an emergency ordinance eliminating Hecht's soon-to-be vacant seat to save money in a still-worsening budget environment.

The ordinance dissolves Department 9 of Superior Court effective Nov. 16 - when Hecht's resignation takes effect - and shifts the department's $19,000 in remaining 2009 funds to hiring pro-tem judges so cases will continue to be heard. The move may help realize savings in the 2010 budget, which will need severe reductions due to a continued drop in county revenue.

"We want to put this unfortunate episode behind us and move quickly to ensure there's no interruption in judicial services in our county," Council Chairman Roger Bush said. "Eliminating this vacant position prevents us from making more drastic budget reductions later on."

The council took the unusual step of declaring an emergency, Bush noted, because ever-dropping revenues are putting the county's public-safety departments at imminent risk of reductions during the remainder of 2009. Reallocating the funds in Department 9 will free-up money for pro-tem judge help that was unavailable while Hecht was drawing a salary from Pierce County but unable to carry out his duties.

"The intent is to drive more money into the court this year and save additional revenue next year and into the future," Bush said.

State law sets the maximum number of Superior Court judges in each county. Pierce County's maximum number is 24; there will be 21 after the council ordinance takes effect. By comparison, King County is allotted a maximum of 58 Superior Court judges but currently employs 53, and Spokane County is allowed a maximum of 13 judges but has 12.

The County Council will continue to review the proposed 2010 budget until Nov. 10, when councilmembers are scheduled to adopt the final budget at their regular 3 p.m. meeting in the Council Chambers (930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 1045, Tacoma). A complete schedule of remaining budget hearings is available on the council's budget Web page.

CONTACT: Brad Chatfield, Council Communications Manager, 253-798-6626

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