HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09 - Municipal Judgei
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
2-
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
i
MEETING DATE: MAY 3, 2011
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL JUDGE
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to consider a motion for the reappointment of Judge David Florence as the
City's Municipal Judge for a two -year term.
FUNDING SOURCE:
Funds are currently available in the FY 2011 Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to September 1, 1999 the operation of the Grapevine Municipal Court was governed
by Section 30.01011 of the Texas Government Code. The Judge was required to be
elected for a term of not less than two nor more than four years to be determined by City
Ordinance.
Upon passage of House Bill 731, effective September 1, 1999, the Texas Legislature
repealed this Law and replaced it with the Uniform Municipal Courts of Record Act (Section
30.00001 of the Texas Government Code), which now governs all Texas Municipal Courts
of Record. Under this new law, which supercedes any City ordinance or Charter provision,
the City Council must by ordinance appoint the Municipal Judge and must provide for the
term of office to be either two or four years.
Judge David Florence was appointed by ordinance on May 5, 2001 for a four -year term,
and reappointed by ordinance on April 19, 2005 for another four -year term. Judge
Florence was reappointed by ordinance for an additional two -year term on May 5, 2009.
The Municipal Judge is included as one of the City's employment positions which is
appointed by the City Council. As with similar appointees, pay and benefits are established
by the City Council each year during the approval of the fiscal year budget.
Staff recommends the reappointment of Judge David Florence as the City's Municipal
Judge for another two -year term.
April 26, 2011 (8:05AM)