GENERAL  OPERATING FUND CITY LEGAL SERVICES PURPOSE AND MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT / DIVISION GENERAL  OPERATING FUND MUNICIPAL COURT/PROSECUTORS PURPOSE AND MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT / DIVISION
    ACCOUNT  001-1080-522
The Legal Services Department is made up of three divisions:  City Legal Services, the Municipal Court and the Prosecutor's office. 

The City Legal Services Division prepares and reviews ordinances and resolutions relating to a variety of issues in the city.  The division drafts and assists in negotiation of legal documents including contracts, deeds, leases, and easements.  The division also conducts legal research and provides legal guidance to City staff and the Commission when necessary.  The City Attorney defends the City in claims and suits.

Significant Issues for 2003 - The increase in Personal Services for 2003 can be attributed to the 3% general wage adjustment, merit increases for eligible employees, and the addition of a Legal Advisor position to provide legal counsel to the City's public safety departments.. 
 
        ACCOUNT  001-1090-522
The purpose of the City of Lawrence Municipal Court is to file, manage and adjudicate alleged violations of City ordinances in a timely and professional manner.  The department is dedicated to providing impartial customer service to attorneys, defendants and citizens while utilizing available resources to continually improve service quality and professional integrity.

The Municipal Court of the City of Lawrence adjudicates alleged violations of the City Code.  The City Prosecutor's office represents the City in all cases brought by the City and University Police Departments. 

Significant Issues for 2003 - The increase in Personal Services for 2003 can be attributed to the 3% general wage adjustment and merit increases for eligible employees.
 
       
   
    2003 DEPARTMENT / DIVISION SPENDING SUMMARY 2003 DEPARTMENT / DIVISION SPENDING SUMMARY
Legal Services EXPENDITURES 2001 Actual 2002 Adopted 2002 Estimate 2003 Budget EXPENDITURES 2001 Actual 2002 Adopted 2002 Estimate 2003 Budget
Personal Services  $     390,434  $     434,012  $     434,012  $     519,878 Personal Services  $     275,245  $     353,949  $     353,949  $                    367,951
Contractual Services            42,337            42,100            42,100            42,100 Contractual Services         153,194         182,208         182,208                        174,208
Commodities            12,807            10,500            10,500            16,500 Commodities            18,185            26,000            26,000                          29,500
Capital Outlay              2,807              5,000              5,000                     -   Capital Outlay              7,351              4,500              4,500                                   -  
Debt Service                     -                       -                       -                       -   Debt Service                     -                       -                       -                                     -  
Transfers                     -                       -                       -                       -   Transfers                     -                       -                       -                                     -  
Contingency                     -                       -                       -                       -   Contingency                     -                       -                       -                                     -  
Total  $     448,385  $     491,612  $     491,612  $     578,478 Total  $     453,975  $     566,657  $     566,657  $                    571,659
   
   
    DEPARTMENT / DIVISION PERSONNEL SUMMARY CURRENT YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS DEPARTMENT / DIVISION PERSONNEL SUMMARY CURRENT YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  City Legal Services   PERSONNEL 2001 Actual 2002 Adopted 2002 Estimate 2003 Budget
l  Assisted the Parks and Recreation
    Department with the donation of property
    and creation of a conservation easement
    on the Lichtwardt property as well as the 
    acquisition of property and creation of a
    conservation easment on the Kelly
    property.  Aquisition of these properties
    will ensure green space in the community.
l Worked closely with other muncipalities on a
   new State law regulating city right-of-way                   
   and the telecommunications industry.

l Worked to bring proprety owners into
    compliance with new land-use regulations in
    single-family neighborhoods.
PERSONNEL 2001 Actual 2002 Adopted 2002 Estimate 2003 Budget
l Maintained a high level of accuracy and
    professional integrity amid the steady
    increase of citations, court appearances
    and diversions.

l Increased number of hours court is in
   session by hiring Municipal Judge full-
   time.
l Several improvements have been made in
    the areas of training, records management,
    quality control and  customer service,
    enabling the staff to be more knowledgeable
    in their response to the judicial needs of the 
    community.

  Municipal Court and Prosecutors' Office   Authorized Positions 6.90 8.00 8.00 9.00 Authorized Positions 8.50 9.00 9.00 9.00
   
    DEPARTMENT / DIVISION ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DEPARTMENT / DIVISION ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
   
    MAJOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2003 MAJOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2003
   
1. To professionally respond to the increased level of legal services demanded  by our growing community.
    This must be done within limited resources and creative attempts to use technology to work smarter as
    well as harder.

2. To seek opportunities to pro-actively respond to legal issues facing the City organization.

3. To continue professional development in the municipal court and prosecutor functions seeking greater
    responsiveness and better results for the community.

4.  To assist various city departments, in a legal capacity, in achieving the goals set by the City
    Commission and the community.
1. Prioritization of court and prosecutor workload to ensure appropriate responsiveness to City needs.

2. Continue to develop and improve court procedures, staff training, records management and fines
    collection methods.

3.  Ensure an appropriate and timely disposition on all cases.

4.  Implement measures that increase productivity, enhance revenue, and  benefit the City
     organization and the citizens of Lawrence.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
  David Corliss,                               Legal Services Director   2000                   Actual 2001                           Actual 2002 Estimated 2003 Projected 2000                   Actual 2001                           Actual 2002 Estimated 2003 Projected
    Ordinances drafted/reviewed 100 66 100 100 Number of Cases Filed 41,000 41,100 42,500 43,000
          Cases Per Court Personnel 6,877 6,850 7,083 7,166
   
    *  Shading indicates positions funded from this account. Those not shaded are funded in the Municipal Court Account or the Public Parking fund. *  Shading indicates positions funded from this account.  The non-shaded court clerk II positions are funded out of the Public Parking fund while the other non-shaded positions are funded in the City Legal Services account.