Discussion and possible action to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $24,470 from the Proposed Grants contingency to the Municipal Court Allocation Fund personnel services accounts for one temporary part-time Judicial Assistant.

The Court is requesting an extension to use Municipal Court Allocation Funds (FTG) for current part-time employee without benefits to perform specialized work in the implementation of Online Dispute resolution. 

This position aligns with the court expanding access to court services. The platform, has four benefits: 1) No scheduled Pre-Trials 2) Electronic document prep and signatures 3) Reduced number of motions to be processed 4) Less formal arraignments. The additional part time J.A. position will manage and process all online dispute resolution cases. In addition, to updating the case information into the court's case management system as there is no interface. The platform supports the court's objectives to improve, maintain and enhance access to justice.

This request does not include any request for computer equipment as the Court currently has the equipment to support the position.

Approval from the Arizona Supreme Court for the spending plan of $24,470 from the Municipal Court Allocation Fund (FTG) has been granted. 

In FY2021, the temporary part time Judicial Assistant was grant funded by the Municipal Court Allocation Fund (FTG) to continue efforts in improving reliability and integrity of case files and enhance collection of monetary penalties. 

Staff recommends approving the budget transfer of $24,470 to the Municipal Court Allocation Fund ( FTG) for the part time Judicial Assistant without benefits for 20 hours weekly for 1 year. 

To implement this approval, it is recommended that the Mayor and Council approve a budget transfer of $24,470 from the Proposed Grants Contingency (7990-7990-570000) to the Municipal Court Allocation Fund (FTG) personnel services accounts (8061-8061-510000). This transfer is for expenditure authority only.  Municipal Court Allocation Fund (FTG) funding is available to support this request.