Small Town News

Scannell proposes merging 3 municipal courts into 1

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Camp Verde Manager Mike Scannell wants to talk with other towns in the Verde Valley about the possibility of merging municipal court services.

Municipal courts have a long history in Arizona; they are responsible for dealing with town and city ordinance violations and other certain types of crimes committed within town limits.

But Scannell said the court in Camp Verde, while it does a fine job, is an anachronism that costs the town money in a time when budgets are tighter than ever.

"Magistrate courts in Arizona are very important," Scannell said. "But financial conditions are very difficult."

The town's budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 sets aside just over $123,000 from its general fund for court operations. The town has to do this because the court costs more money to run than it takes in. According to the budget, the town expects the court to cost a total of nearly $392,000 this year. Expected revenues are figured at around $268,500.

Scannell said that most people never had any dealings at all with the local municipal court. He said that there did seem to be a group of people that find themselves before the Camp Verde magistrate again and again, a group Scannell dubbed the "frequent flyers."

Scannell also pointed to other nearby courts that serve the Verde Valley in Cottonwood and Clarkdale.

While the population of the Verde Valley has grown, Scannell said he felt that three courts might be a little too much for serving the few thousands of people that live here.

Three courts mean three times the expenses in many areas.

"Each court has telephones, lights, staff ... other expenses that are inherently inefficient," Scannell said.

A single court in a single location could cut down on expenses for all three towns, a matter town leaders are taking lightly in the face of the grimmest budget year in decades. Jerome, for instance, used to contract court service in Clarkdale, Scannell said.

Scannell told the Town Council last week he wanted its authorization before actually approaching other towns to discuss the issue.

There were no objections from a group of town leaders looking under whatever rock they can find for an extra buck.

Even then, Scannell said there was no guarantee that any of the other nearby towns would agree to the idea.

"I can't tell you we will get to the finish line," Scannell said. "Politics may become infused in the process .... The status quo has a lot of friends."

Still, Councilwoman Carol German said running the idea by the other towns was worth a shot. Councilwoman Jackie Baker said she was delighted at the prospect.

"This has been my dream for the last 10 years," Baker said. "I hope, especially with everyone struggling right now, that we all will see the sense in this."



Copyright 2009 Cottonwood Journal Extra, Cottonwood, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Cottonwood Journal Extra Cottonwood, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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