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level offenses, will more likely be reduced to violations. In addition the City Prosecutor would <br />recommend more cases for diversion. By reducing the charges or recommending diversion on an <br />increased number of cases, time and resources will be freed to accommodate the additional <br />misdemeanor case load. <br /> <br />There would be a need for additional support staff for the City Prosecutor's Office to amend complaints <br />reducing misdemeanor charges to violations and to handle the new misdemeanor complaint filings. A <br />0.5 FTE Administrative Aide II! position would be sufficient to handle this additional workload, but has <br />not been addressed in the FY06 adopted budget. <br /> <br /> On-~oin~ Expenditure Estimate (FY06 Dollars) <br /> 0.5 Admin. Aide III $ 28,000 <br /> <br /> TOTAL ON-GOING: $ 28,000 <br /> <br />Option 3 does not include City prosecution of financial misdemeanors, such as Forgery, Fraud, or <br />Negotiating a Bad Check. While statistics show these crimes have been declining, this information is <br />misleading. Due to lack of prosecution of these offenses last year by the DA's office, there is a high <br />amount of non-reporting of these types of crimes. Metro areas throughout Oregon have established high <br />thresholds of dollar loss before a crime will be investigated. The number of these crimes, if actively <br />investigated and prosecuted, would significantly increase. Officers indicate the current statistics are "the <br />tip of the iceberg." In addition, financial crime cases are very complex to investigate and prosecute and, <br />therefore, very costly in terms of staff, attorney and judge time. Aside from the cost involved, staff does <br />not recommend prosecuting these crimes because victims have an alternative civil remedy available to <br />pursue, if they so choose. <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION <br />The City Manager recommends that the council proceed with action on the proposed ordinance on <br />August 8, 2005. <br /> <br />SUGGESTED MOTION <br />No motion is required for the public hearing. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />A. District Attorney's "No File" List <br />B. Eugene Municipal Court Misdemeanor Statistics <br />C. Judge Wayne Allen Letter <br />D. Proposed Ordinance <br /> <br />FOR MORE INFORMATION <br />Staff Contact: Dan Barkovic, City Prosecutor <br />Telephone: (541) 682-8414 <br />Staff E-Mail: Dan. J.Barkovic~ci.eugene.or.us <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050725\S0507253.doc <br /> <br /> <br />