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Key Issues for the Court Now that the City has procured the new police facility on Country Club Road it will be vital to find a sustainable location for the court. City Hall does not sufficiently handle the court’s capacity. Additional courtrooms, a larger jury room and space for attorneys and judges to meet are necessary. Lack of jail bed space continues to be a major concern for the court. As the County systems have failed, the City has chosen to rely more heavily on Municipal Court to maintain safety in the community. The court has absorbed more cases from the District Attorney and maintained an active role in resolving high priority crime issues. Lack of adequate consequences for these types of cases presents a serious challenge to the community's perception of safety, especially in the downtown area. To support the downtown safety efforts and the effectiveness of the court, it is imperative that Municipal Court has adequate jail bed space. Utilizing the Springfield Jail for sentenced offenders at a less expensive rate may be viable alternative which should be explored. Response to 2010 Survey Judge Allen spoke to the committee about the survey and a few of the comments that concerned him. He acknowledged the need to evaluate the associate judges and work with them closely on policy issues and information presented to defendants in the courtroom. He also made reference to a new judge that will be starting in the near future. He felt the change would be positive for the court and bring a new perspective on the operation. Judge Allen also addressed the concerns about financial sanctions imposed by the court. He pointed out that Eugene Municipal Court has one of the lowest base fine schedules in the state and that he pays very close attention to defendant’s ability to pay their sanctions. Judge Allen explained that defendants who face financial challenges often choose to work off their fines by performing community service or work on the Lane County Work Crew. He felt that many of the negative comments received we’re based on a misunderstanding of his intent but acknowledged better communication needs to occur with attorneys and police. Where is Municipal Court Heading? The next four years will be challenging with the City’s budget shortfall still a significant concern. Potential reductions at the State and County level may also further impact the court’s ability to use alternative services and programs. Technology improvements should help mitigate some of the budget issues and allow the court to operate more efficiently at its current staffing levels and continue to provide service to the community at a high level. The court and Judge Allen consistently receive high ratings on their performance because of the size, resources and collaborative nature of this court to be innovative and responsive to community concerns. Municipal Court continues to play a key role in quality of life issues and safety in the downtown area.