TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Anthony Halstead - Director of Library Services and Community Outreach
REPORT BY: Anthony Halstead - Director of Library Services and Community Outreach
SUBJECT: Approve and authorize Agreement No. 260226B between County, Court and Law Library Trustees
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 260226B and establish a new Division within the Napa County Library Fund to administer the Napa County Law Library; approve the transfer of the balance of funds currently in the Agency Fund to the Library Fund; and approve a Budget Amendment to increase appropriations for the new Division for Fiscal Year 2025-26. (Fiscal Impact: $150,000 Expense; Library Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
The Napa County Law Library Trust Fund receives a specific portion of certain court civil filing fees. This figure is determined by the State of California. These funds are deposited by the State to the Law Library Trust Fund on a monthly basis, which is administered by the Court. Expenses are currently paid by the Court from the Law Library Trust fund using these funds. The Court pays for law library staffing and legal materials with court funds. Per the Court-County Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the County transfers $22,000 annually back to the Court to cover a portion of the staffing costs. An additional $3,000 funds the Court's cost to support the law library's facility. Law Library staffing costs paid by the Court above the $22,000 are reimbursed to the court from the Law Library Trust Fund.
In discussions with the Courts, it has been determined that these funds would be better accounted for if they were overseen by the Napa County Library as part of the County Library Fund. The fees, other funding resources, services and staffing would remain the same. This will provide better transparency of the Law Library activity, including all revenues and costs, as well as provide proper budgetary con...
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