BY EMILY THOMPSON
Clipper Correspondent
FARMINGTON — A battle of wills has been brewing between Farmington City officials and the Davis Justice Court since June, when the County Commission announced plans to dissolve the District Court at the end of this year.*
The Utah Judicial Council has denied the request, a point City Manager Dave Millheim reminded the county of in a recent letter.
In response to the city’s letter renouncing the County’s attempt to discontinue court services, County Commissioner John Petroff said that the county followed proper procedure for terminating the interlocal agreement between the parties that established the court services.
The county will continue to provide prosecution services to the city, as provided in the current contract, through the end of 2013, Petroff said.
If the city chooses to use the county services past December 2013, it will be required to pay for its own prosecution, just as the other contracted cities are required to do.
Millheim told the City Council that the court is not ignoring the concerns he addressed regarding the allegations of unfair and inconsiderate treatment towards citizens.
The court is reviewing video tapes and other documentation from past and current proceedings to ensure that its judges are acting in accordance with the standards required by the communities they serve, he said.
Millheim also asked for submission of letters and other recent documentation from residents that may show atypical and unfair judgments within the city.
Councilmembers acknowledged that the city will need to discuss about potential court locations and services soon in preparation for the potential dissolution of the local district court in 2014.
If budget issues are resolved within the county and it is determined that the court can continue to function, a departure by Farmington City would likely cause closure of the court.
Revenue supplied by Farmington cases far exceeds that of all other agencies that contract with the county court.
news@davisclipper.com
*This article has been amended to reflect that Farmington is battling with the county over the Davis Justice Court. The print version of this story reported that information incorrectly.
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