GIRARD Judge increases costs while lowering fines

The court will take in $80,000 to $85,000 more annually with the new cost structure.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Judge Michael A. Bernard is increasing the cost of doing business at Girard Municipal Court.
Judge Bernard said he is taking the action effective Jan. 1 to generate funds by increasing court costs, while at the same time decreasing traffic fines.
On average, the judge explained Monday, total fines and court costs for traffic violations -- the largest segment of court business -- will increase 7.5 percent.
The increase will generate between $80,000 and $85,000 annually.
Judge Bernard explained that it's an effort to retain more money locally rather than increasing the amount it generates for the county or state.
A portion of traffic fines imposed by the court go to the county and state, while court costs remain with the court.
The judge will increase traffic court costs by 22.06 percent, but with the decrease in fines, the net increase will be about a 7.5 percent increase.
For example, speeders who are caught going 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit are currently charged a total $110 -- $35 fine and $75 costs. After Jan. 1, the total cost will be $110 -- $30 fine and $80 costs.
Civil court costs will increase an average 20 percent. Small-claims court complaints increase from $40 to $50, or 25 percent; and trusteeships increase 15 percent, from $65 to $75, or 15 percent.
Justice center payments
The increase in revenue is designed to accelerate payment of the loan to construct the Girard Justice Center.
The center has caused hard feelings between Judge Bernard and Mayor James J. Melfi over building costs and the percentage of the mortgage paid by the court and city.
The building includes space for the court, police department and city offices.
The state auditor's office said in its performance audit of the city in January that the center, buying Girard Lakes and putting utilities underground along U.S. Route 422 were significant in causing the city's financial woes.
In the court's annual 2001 report released last week, Judge Bernard said that neither the cost of the building nor the purchase of the lakes forced the city into state-imposed fiscal emergency.
Rather, the judge blames the city's fiscal difficulties on the underground utilities.
"Further, the Girard Municipal Court has not contributed to the city of Girard's debt in any way, shape or form," Judge Bernard wrote.
Melfi countered Monday that the judge should stick to administering justice rather than commenting on the city.
The state auditor, the mayor pointed out, specifically drew attention to the cost of the justice center, utilities project and lakes as the reasons for the city's fiscal problems.
Melfi said the city's default on a state loan to pay for the lakes property was one of the reasons cited by the state auditor for the city going to fiscal emergency.
yovich@vindy.com