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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
J`
FROM: JOHN SWEETEN, n �' Costa
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: December 2, 2003 ��S�--�----- County'
SUBJECT: INCREASE IN LAW LIBRARY FEES
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIO : RESOLUTION NO. 031657
1. OPEN public hearing regarding proposed increase of filing fees to support the Contra Costa
County Law Library;
2. CLOSE public Hearing;
3. ADOPT increase in the Law Library portion of the filing fees in the Superior Court of Contra
Costa County from $23.00 to $26.00 effective January 1, 2004, and exclude the increase from
the definition of "total fee" as provided for by Business and ProfessionsCode section 6322.1;
and
4. ADOPT increase in the Law Library portion of the filing fees in the Superior Court of Contra
Costa County from $26.00 to $29.00 effective January 1, 2005, and exclude the increase from
the definition of"total fee" as provided for by Business and Professions Code section 6322.1;
5. FIND that the fees are for meeting operating expenses, 'including wage and fringe benefits,
purchasing and leasing books, equipment or materials, and that based on the foregoing, the
adoption of the fees is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to
subdivision (b)(8) of Public Resources Code section 21080; and
6. FIND that said fees will not exceed the reasonable cost of providing such services for which the
fees are levied and that they are not levied for general revenue purposes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fees paid by parties to litigation in the Contra Costa Courts will be increased by $3.00 on
January 1, 2004 and an additional $3.00 on January 1, 2005. These actions will have no effect of
the County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The cost of providing Law Library services has increased substantially over',the last several years.
The Law Library fees have not been increased in 5 years. The increased income would allow the
Contra Costa County Public Law Library to proceed with its planned automation, increased service
levels, and outreach program, while continuing to maintain the existing collection.
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ATTACHMENT: „YES SIGNATURE: / p
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�COMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDAT ON OF COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER �
SIGNATURE(S) ---- ------------------ACTION OF BOARD
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------------ -- –---— ------- -- – ___-------- ----------
ON i ` APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED / OT+FER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT l ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _ J
ATTESTED sem`
CONTACT: JOHN SWERTE14,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
CC: Superior Court
CAO-Justice System Programs
Law Library
Auditor-Controller
BYi, e DEPUTY
Contra Costa County Public Law Library
Proposed Pee Schedule
The projected revenue for the proposed filing fee increase has been incorporated into the
table below. There are a number of factors to consider in this estimate. The court itself has recently
raised its fees a considerable amount and that may lower the number of court filings as well as create
an increase in waivers. Other factors that will lower the number of court flings are the changes in
the statutes of limitations and the increasing use of mediation.
The library's budget is based on a fiscal year where as the fee increases are calculated on a
calendar year. The Law Library therefore will only benefit from the fee increase in the second part
of its annual budget for 2003/2404. In the budget for 2004/2005 the Law Library will have the
benefit of the $3.00 increase for the whole year and another$3.00 for the second part. The
calculations are based on an estimate of 27,000 first paper civil filings per year.
Actual
2002/2003 Proposed Proposed
Expenditures Budget Budget
as of 8/12143 2003/2004 2004/2005
Fee Inc.93.00 Fee Inc. $3.00
No Fee effective effective
Description Increase 1/1/04 111/05
REVENUES - - -
Revenues - based on Av. rev. for filings per/mo.$53,676 644,115 645,880 648,894
Requested increase in filing fees ($3.00 for 2d half of
200312004 which is 6 mo. = 13,500 filings x$3.00)
($6.00 for 12 mo. of 2004/2005 which is 12 mo. =27,000
filing x$3.00)
($3.00 for 2nd half of 2004/2005)which is 6 mo. = 13,500
filings x$3.00) 40,500 121,500
Revenues from fax, copies, book sales 30,707 35,000 36,400
Revenues from pooled earnings 4,355 4,500 5,000
TOTAL REVENUES $ 679,177 $ 725,880 $ 811,394