Page 118 - Watauga FY21 Budget

GENERAL FUND

DEPARTMENT: FINANCE
DIVISION / ACTIVITY: MUNICIPAL COURT DIVISION - FUND 01-030
LOCATION: HOURS OF OPERATION:
7105 Whitley Road Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Watauga, Texas 76148
Phone Number: 817-514-5800
MISSION / PROGRAMS / SERVICES:

x The City of Watauga Municipal Court serves as the administrative arm of the City as an
unbiased entity for the adjudication of cases filed
x It is our goal to serve the citizens who appear in Court with a courteous and assuring attitude.
x The Court will process complaints in an accurate and timely manner, courteously responding to
requests for information from the public, efficiently docket cases for adjudication, and
responsibly collect assessed fines and fees

FY2019-2020 HIGHLIGHTS / ACHIEVEMENTS:

x Implemented Tyler Notify to send emails and automated phone messages to remind customers
of upcoming Court dates and eliminated the need to mail pre-warrant notices. This should result
in a decrease in postage costs and also helped to reduce the staff time needed to notify
customers quickly when COVID-19 resulted in numerous dockets being cancelled.
x Implemented an IVR payment system to eliminate staff time used to accept payments via the
phone as well as provide a more secure form of collecting a customer’s payment.
x Implemented Tyler Online Court Records system which allows defendants to search case
information online 24/7. This program also hosts a secure environment that automatically
updates Court dockets and posts to our website as required by law.
x The Marshal’s Division completed a full warrant audit.
x Court staff successfully planned and executed virtual dockets during May 2020 in an effort to
reduce case backlog until a successful Court operations plan could be approved to resume in
person dockets.

FY2020-2021 GOALS/ OBJECTIVES:

x Continue to update court forms and documents from the old InCode documents to an easier to
read and more professionally designed Word format.
x Continue to move to a less paper intensive environment to reduce costs.
x Review and update website to continue to provide accurate and the most up to date information
24/7.

MAJOR BUDGETARY ISSUES AND OPERATIONAL TRENDS:

x Court security staff has been reduced and will now require assistance from the Police
Department in order to continue to provide a safe environment in which to hold Court.
x Due the COVID-19 and social distancing requirements all court staff will spend approximately
six additional hours in the courtroom per month.

110