Mayor Johnson proposes contracting for court services

Lake Forest Park Mayor Jeff Johnson, at the March 30 Committee of the Whole, asked the City Council to consider contracting with King County for court services.

Lake Forest Park has had its own court and judge since incorporation over fifty years ago. However, they are at a logical break point right now. The judge's contract is up on December 31, 2017. The long-time court administrator is retiring this spring. The half-time cashier position has not been filled.

Mayor Johnson's preliminary figures show that contracting would be less expensive.

He cited safety concerns with the current city hall, which was built before current needs for safety and security.

He said that offerings were comparable for many services with King County and that they have programs to deal with veterans / substance abuse, relicensing, and modern computerized services.

LFP would be able to repurpose city hall space.

The council has this on their agenda for discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, April 13. They will hear from Kelley Gradwohl, Court Administrator; Judge Linda Portnoy, Lake Forest Park Municipal Court; Judge David Larson, Federal Way Municipal Court.

The council will be releasing a statement about their planned process for considering this and will be meeting with the Mayor on the 27th.

Also on the agenda, they will also be reviewing recommendations from the Parks task force.

The meeting is held at City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Room, at 6pm.

It will be followed by the regular city council meeting at 7pm.