Page 75 - CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS ANNUAL BUDGET PORTRAIT

Finance –

Municipal Court

Mission Statement

The mission of the Watauga Municipal Court is to provide fair
and impartial justice to all persons having business before the Court.

Department Overview

The City of Watauga Municipal Court manages the filing and disposition of all Class C Misdemeanor cases filed
by Police Officers, Code Officers, Animal Control Officers, and the Fire Marshal.

The goal of the Watauga Municipal Court is to serve all those who encounter the Court staff in a courteous
manner while helping them efficiently and effectively manage their cases. The goals are accomplished by
accurately processing and timely filing complaints, efficiently docketing cases, timely and courteous responding
to requests for information from both internal and external customers, and responsibility collecting and
accounting for all fines and court costs.

Highlights/Achievements for FY2025
• All court staff received confidentiality training as required by the Texas Supreme Court and have signed
the required confidentiality agreement.
• The Watauga Municipal Court implemented a juvenile diversion plan as required by State law.
• The Watauga Municipal Court had educational bicycle safety coloring pages at our counter, the library,
and the Hector F. Garcia Community Center. Children who returned their sheets to the Court window
received a Chick Fil-A dessert coupon.
• The Watauga Municipal Court set up a booth at Watauga Fest and handed out bicycle and traffic safety
materials. We also held a raffle for a kid’s bicycle and helmet.
• The Watauga Municipal Court will hand out seatbelt safety coloring books during seatbelt safety month
in September.
• The Marshal’s Division will assist Human Resources in presenting office safety tips at the June 2025
safety meeting
• The Court staff will assist Human Resources in presenting back to school traffic and pedestrian safety
tips at the August safety meeting.
• Implemented on our website a way to streamline and allow for e-filling of Attorney representation letters
and other attorney documents.

Goals/Objectives for FY2026

• Continue to look for new and innovative ways to reach citizens and educate them on the importance of
traffic safety.
• Automate the ticket download process to allow defendants to see their citations and make disposition
using the online payment system faster.
• Automate some of the macros used to process cases to allow for more efficient processing of cases.
• Focus on employee development by providing continuing education to maintain and upgrade clerk
certification by providing training offered through the Texas Municipal Court Education Center and the
Texas Court Clerks Association.

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