COUNCIL
COMMUNICATION
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DATE: 03/24/2003 |
SUBJECT: FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE 2003-O-066
Amending the City of
Laredo’s FY 2002-03 General Fund annual budget by appropriating expenditures
in the amount of $189,888.00, from the Technology Fund Fee collected by the
Municipal Court. Funds are being appropriated from the restricted opening
fund balance and will be used to purchase the new software system for the
Municipal Court. |
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INITIATED BY: Larry Dovalina, City
Manager
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STAFF SOURCE: Thomas Ochoa, Municipal
Court Clerk Martin Aleman, Budget
Director |
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: City Council approved the
public hearing and introduction of this ordinance on March 3, 2003. |
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BACKGROUND: On August 23, 1999, the
Municipal Court was authorized to collect a Technology Fund Fee with City
Council approval of ordinance no. 99-O-246. The City of Laredo’s Code
of Ordinances, Chapter 20, Municipal Court, Section 20-37, Court Costs,
Subsection (c), Municipal Court Technology Fund Fees states “there shall be taxed against each defendant convicted of a
misdemeanor offense in the municipal court, a municipal court technology fee
not to exceed four dollars ($4.00) as a cost of court.” The Municipal Court
Technology Fund Fee, which is designated by Article 102.017 of the Texas Code
of Criminal Procedure, may be used only to finance the purchase of
technological enhancements for a municipal court including; computer systems,
computer networks, computer hardware, computer software, imaging systems,
electronic kiosks, electronic ticket writers, and electronic docket
management systems. The Technology Fund Fee is
strictly for the use of the Municipal Court and, as of September 30, 2002,
has collected a total of $
189,888.00.
Note: Any additional funding needed for the new
software system will come from current FY 2002-03 Municipal Court
appropriations. In FY 02-03 alone,
$72,000.00 in revenue was projected for the Municipal Court Technology Fund
Fee. |
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RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City
Council approve this ordinance. |
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Amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2002-03 General Fund annual budget by appropriating expenditures in the amount of $189,888.00, from the Technology Fund Fee collected by the Municipal Court. Funds are being appropriated from the restricted opening fund balance and will be used to purchase the new software system for the Municipal Court.
WHEREAS, on August 23, 1999, the Municipal Court was authorized to collect a
Technology Fund Fee with City Council approval of ordinance no. 99-O-246; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Laredo’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20, Municipal Court,
Section 20-37, Court Costs, Subsection (c), Municipal Court Technology Fund
Fees states “there shall be taxed against each
defendant convicted of a misdemeanor offense in the municipal court, a
municipal court technology fee not to exceed four dollars ($4.00) as a cost of
court”; and,
WHEREAS, the Municipal Court Technology Fund Fee, which is designated by
Article 102.017 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, may be used only to
finance the purchase of technological enhancements for a municipal court
including; computer systems, computer networks, computer hardware, computer
software, imaging systems, electronic kiosks, electronic ticket writers, and
electronic docket management systems; and,
WHEREAS, the Technology Fund Fee is strictly for the use of the Municipal
Court and, as of September 30, 2002, has collected a total of $ 189,888.00; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing and introduction of this
ordinance on March 3, 2003; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:
Section 1. Budget Amendment
The City of Laredo FY
2002-2003 annual budget be amended to appropriate additional expenditures in
the amount of $189,888.00 from the Municipal Court Technology Fund Fees that
have been collected since approved by the City of Laredo City Council.
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FINANCIAL:
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General Fund |
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Amended Budget |
Proposed Budget |
Amendment |
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Expenditures |
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101-1400-515.90-03 |
Computer Software |
0 |
$189,888.00 |
$189,888.00 |
Note: Any additional funding needed for the new
software system will come from current FY 2002-03 Municipal Court
appropriations. In FY 02-03 alone,
$72,000.00 in revenue was projected for the Municipal Court Technology Fund Fee.
PASSED
BY THE COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS THE 24th DAY OF MARCH 2003.
______________________
ELIZABETH G.
FLORES
MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________
GUSTAVO
GUEVARA, JR.
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO
FORM:
______________________
JAIME L.
FLORES
CITY ATTORNEY