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Home My WebLink AboutReg 2026-05-04 Item 7C - Handout to be Distributed at Meeting - Municipal Court FTEs: Court Operations Specialist-Bailiff & Court Operations SpecialistItem 7c - Request for Additional Employees for Municipal Court Supplement Information Requested by Council during the 04/27 Committee of the Whole • Hearings Held 2010-2026 • Case Filings 2010-2026 • Receivables 2010-2026 • Supplemental Information Hearings Held 2010-2026 YEAR HEARINGS HELD % DIFFERENCE/+/-4 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 lan-Feb2026 13,326 19% *Jon -Feb 2026: 2,221(Projected Hearings 20261.5326) 2025 11,155 19% 2 pork speed Zone photo enforcement cameras implemented 2025 2024 9,369 6% `563 Blake Hearings 2023 8,845 5% `242 Slake Hearings 2022 8,413 -1% 2021 8,460 2% `school zone photo enforcement began in October 2021 2020 8,288 -12% 2019 9,452 -7% 2018 10,155 -9% 2017 11.,147 -14% 2016 12,974 -6% 2015 13,733 -8% 2014 15,002 14% 2013 13,108 16% 2012 11,292 12°% 2011 10,044 2% 2010 9,828 -Phial Percentage increase of Hearings Heed 14% 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 O HEARINGS HELD --% DIFFERENCE (+(-) 2015 15,002 2014 2013 012 2011. 9,828 2010 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5°% -10% -20% ase ilings 2010-2026 Year CASES FILED % DIFFERENCE (+/-/ 12,000 10,O00 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 2026 13,134 18% *fan -Feb 2026...2,189 (Protected Filing s202613,134) 2025 11,124 261% *2 park speed zone photo enforcement cameras implemented July 2025 2024 4,254 8% 2023 3,941 -23% 2022 5,092 74% 2021. 2,934 91% *School zone photo enforcement began In October 2021 with 2 cameras 2020 1,535 -42% 2019 2,626 14% 2018 2,299 -40% 2017 3,819 -25% 2016 5,072 12% 2015 4,536 10% 2014 4,110 -7% 2013 4,442 -7% 2012 4,767 7% 2011 4,442 -12% 2010 5,072 2025 161% 2024 119%(Total Percentage of Case Fillings Increase between 2010-2025 2023 022 2,934 2021 1,535 2020 -Fatal Percentage of Case Fillings Increase'1'19% 2019 2018 MC CASES FILED 5,072 12% 4,5 4,767 4,442 4,442 0% 4,110 -7% 017 016 2015 2014 2013 2012 6 01 FFERENCE (+/ ) 2% 5,072 200% 150% 100% 50% 0% 50% -100 % Receivables 2010-2026 YEAR RECEIVABLE % DIFFERENCE (+/-j 8900,000.00 5800,000 00 5700,000-00 $600,000-00 $500,000-00 $400,000-00 $300,000.00 5200,000.00 5100,000.00 2026 $1,073,854.12 32% *Jan-Mar2026, $268,463.53 (Projected $1,073,854.1.21 2025 $ 813,28253 121% *2 pork speed zone photo enforcement camerasimplemen[ed 2&IV2025 2024 $367,958.80 1% 2023 $365,217.63 2022 $494117.90 73% 2021 $283,510.07 13% 'school zone photo enforcement began In October 2021 2020 $250,142.00 -19% 2019 $308,226.00 2018 $396,161..00 -35% 2017 $508,289.00 9% 2016 $558,612.00 14% 2015 $490,446.00 -5% 2014 $517,856.00 -8% 2013 $564,406.00 10% 2012 $514,560.00 14% 2011 $452,03,00 1% 2010 $447,02200 2025 2024 82%'Total Percentage Receivable Increase between 2010-202S "i`%al Percentage Receivable increase 82% S608,289,00 S308,226.00 447,0 2023 2022 2021 2020 010 2018 201/ 0tG 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2U10 �RECCIVABL—%DI4LRCNC9(+/-) 140% 120% 100% 80% 60°% 40% 20% 0% -20 % -60% Supplemental Information in Support of Tukwila Municipal Court Staffing Request This document provides additional information requested by City Council regarding filing trends and staffing responsibilities supporting the Tukwila Municipal Court's request for one Court Operations Specialist -Bailiff and one Court Operations Specialist position. Filing Trends 2010 JAN & FEB 2026 Year Filings Projected Filings DUI Filings Projected DUIRevenue Filings Search Warrants Hearings Held Projected Hearings2a2 Projected Revenue FTE Case Filings Per Person (7 FTE CO) JAN-FEB 2026 2,189 13,134 21 126 20 2,221 13,326 JAN - $88,363.09 FEB - $81,833,95 MARCH $98,266.49 EST 2026: $1073,854.12 11.90 1,876 2025 11,124 35 34 11,155 $813,282,53 11.90 1,589 2024 4,254 24 4 9,369 $367,958.87 11.90 608 2023 3,941 19 3 8,845 $365,217.63 11.90 563 2022 5,092 6 19 8,413 $491,117.90 11.90 727 2021 2,934 8 9 8,467 $283,510.07 10.65 419 2020 1,535 25 11 8,288 $250,142,00 12.40 219 2019 2,626 12 8 9,452 $308 226.00 13.40 375 2018 2,299 16 10 10,155 $396,161.00 12.65 328 2017 3,819 30 13 11 147 $608,289.00 12.65 546 2016 5,072 33 18 12,974 $558,612.00 13.65 725 2015 4,536 42 13,733 $490,446.00 12.65 648 2014 4,110 31 - 15,002 $517,856.00 11.65 587 2013 4,442 42 - 13,108 $564,406.00 11,65 635 2012 4,767 35 - 11,292 $514,560.00 10,65 681 2011 4,442 29 - 10,044 $452,737.00 10.65 635 2010 5,072 51 - 9,828 $447,022.00 11,65 725 Filing Trends for Traffic and Parking Infractions 2025 Filings Charges Committed Paid Dismissed Diversion Traffic Infractions 1,877 2,920 1,458 521 333 403 Parking Infractions 7,979 8,254 4,371 2,500 692 N/A Filing for Traffic and Parking Infractions During Seahawk Parade Parking Infractions 2025 669 (approximately two infractions per day) 2026 301 (Current) 2/11/2026 Seahawk Parade 46 es onsi fifties of e•,ueste• ositions 1 FTE Court Operations Specialist -Bailiff: The court manages roughly 215 hearings per week, creating a consistently high -volume environment requiring continuous staffing. Courtroom operations rely primarily on 1 FTE courtroom bailiff, who provides about 75% of courtroom coverage. The remaining 25% is covered by the leadership team, resulting in: • Leadership regularly performs frontline duties in addition to supervisory work. • The bailiff has little to no dedicated desk time for essential administrative tasks (docket updates, court orders, document processing) and Leadership team provides lunch and break coverage to ensure continued operations. • Without an additional bailiff, we're unable to schedule court hearings in a timely manner. Although more hearing slots are needed, we currently lack the staff required to support them. Despite technological efficiencies and an experienced bailiff, the hearing volume is too high for one team member to manage both courtroom coverage and post -hearing processing. This has led to: • Extended work hours for leadership • Reduced capacity for leadership -level responsibilities • Higher risk of fatigue -related errors, burnout, and grievances While this current approach has allowed daily operations to continue, it relies heavily on staff working outside their classification. Average Weekly Courtroo Function Volume nCourt 9AM-4P • Courtroom Bailiff Case Processing • Creating and Reviewing Court Orders • Record Keeping Desk time (post -court .., processing outside of courtroom, 8-9 AM, 4-5:30 PM) • Case Docket Notes • Scheduling • Processing Court Orders • Archiving/Filing Total Weekly Workload Bailiff Workload 215 hearings 215 cases Average Time ' Total Estimated Per hearing ' Weekly Time 15 min 53.75 Hours 0 min 35.8 Hours 89.55 hrs./weekly 1 FTE Court Operations Specialist position The Court currently has two Court Associate positions responsible for managing all front -counter services, incoming communications and electronic processing requests. These positions are fully dedicated to public -facing and data entry functions that are essential to daily court operations. COURT OPERATIONS — STAFFING CAPACITY VS. TOTAL WORKLOAD Average Weekly Court Associate Workload Function Weekly Front Counter Phone Calls Mail/Email/Fax E-filing/portal Volume 65 customers 150 calls 100 items 100 items Compliance Reports - Daily Payment Reports - Daily Deferred Finding Review - Daily Linebarger Collections - Weekly Failure to Respond Report Weekly Parking Late Payment Report Weekly Photo Enforcement DNR Motion Calendar Photo Enforcement Calendar Weekly Prep Criminal Complaints from City Prosecutor u iso ackfill) etrial Correspondence ackfill) Ordering Warrants ( uerviso ackfill) Overnight Booking Calendar Prep/warrants served ( u . e iso ackfill) Ordering Interpreters i ackfill) u e PCNs e iso ackfill) Total Weekly Workload so 40 Crimina Fillings 20/weekly 35/weekly 30/weekly 10/weekly 30/weekly Average Time per :ask 20 minutes (including follow-up) 15 minutes (including follow-up) 15 minutes 15 minutes 60 minutes 60 minutes 30 minutes 90 minutes 60 minutes 120 minutes 60 minutes Total Estimated Weekly Time 21.7 Hours 37.5 Hours 25 Hours 25 Hours 0 minutes per filing 10 minutes 0 minutes 5 minutes minutes minutes 5 Hours 5 Hours 2.5 Hours 1.5 Hours 1 Hour 2 Hours 1 Hour 6.7 Hours 3.3 Hours 5.8 Hours .5 Hours .8 Hours 1.5 Hours 152.8 Hours Staffing Capacity Staffing Group Available Hours per Day 2 Court Associates 16 Hours total 1 Courtroom Bailiff 8 Hours Supervisory Staff Not designated for clerical processing The workload alone exceeds available Court Associate capacity, and additional clerical duties are being absorbed by supervisory staff, meaning true workload demand is higher than reflected in staffing capacity. Blake Cases All Blake cases were fully completed in 2022, and our court has submitted all potential refunds to the state in the amount of $63,617.45. These hearings were not included in our reporting, as they fall outside of our court's regular calendars. The state reimbursed the funds used to process the Blake cases, and no further city funds were used. With the Blake funds running low, our team prioritized timely completion to mitigate the financial risk that may have fallen upon the city. Tukwila Municipal Court also supported SeaTac Municipal Court with their Blake cases, and the project was completed in 2024. This work was fully state -funded and did not impact on our budget. Reimbursement vs Expense Chart 2025 SERVICES INTERPRETER PRETRIAL NAVIGATOR PROGRAM DV MRT PROGRAM UP PROGRAM BLAKE Court Expense $64,460.25 $12,440.07 $32,131.77 Revenue $5,000 $3,575 Reimbursement $26,472.14 $12,440.07 $32,131.77 Net + $5,000 + $3,575 DUI Filings Increase and Case Complexity Unlike infraction cases such as photo enforcement infractions, DUI cases remain active with the court for extended periods of time and require significantly more administrative hearings as well as ongoing monitoring throughout multiple stages of case lifecycle. Each DUI case typically involves Multiple hearings Coordination with City Prosecutor and defense counsel DUI - The increase in DUI filings has a direct impact on clerical staff time and effort. DUI cases require significantly more administrative handling than a standard misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor due to their complexity and the number of required procedural steps to ensure we comply with legislative requirements. Since 2023, jurisdiction for DUI cases has been extended to 5 years. Multiple pre-trial hearings, alcohol monitoring, ignition interlock requirements, DOL notifications, substance use disorder evaluations, electronic home monitoring, post -conviction supervision through CSS, treatment compliance, and regular review hearings are just a part of the involvement the court team has with this type of case. Case Type Comparison Case Type School/ Park Zone Photo Enforcement Parking Infraction Filing Processing Time (Not including Hearing Time) 7 minutes 7 minutes Typical Timeline (Filing to Resolution if hearing is held, no FTA) -- 2 months 2 months Average number of hearings 1-2 1-2 Staff Impact. Routine processing, high volume, post disposition, collections activity Routine processing, high volume, post disposition, collections activity Standard Moving Violation Infraction Criminal • DUI • Assault • Theft Criminal Trespass 7 minutes 10 mins 10 mins 10 mins 7-10 mins - 2 months - 5-7 years - 1-5 years - 1-3 years - 1-3 years 1-2 -10-20 Approximately 30 days apart Routine processing, high volume, post disposition, collections activity Extensive documentation, monitoring, compliance tracking Case Lifecyle Flowchart School Zone/Park Zone Photo Enforcement Case Closed Hearing Request Filed Court Appearance Case Initiation Case Dismissed Paid and closed Failure to Appear Send to,'. Collections Committed Finding Entered and Time Pay Agreement established Paid and. closed Hearing Request Filed - Start New Cycle. Failure to Respond Send to Collections Failure to Pay Paid and closed Paid and case closed Declaration of Non- Responsibility Filed Administrative Hearing Scheduled Hearing Request Filed - Start New Cycle Sent to Collections Case Dismissed Hearing Request Filed. Start New Cycle DUI Criminal Traffic Case Search Warrant Issued (Blood draw test) Criminal Complaint Filed by City Prosecutor • Arraignment Hearing Scheduled o Case Dismissed 4 Case closed o Guilty Plea filed 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled o Not Guilty Plea filed 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond 4 Arraignment Hearing Scheduled • Pretrial Hearing Scheduled o Parties file continuance 4 Pretrial Hearing continued o Parties do not reach an agreement 4 Motion Readiness Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond 4 Arraignment Hearing Scheduled o Parties reach agreement: ■ Deferred Prosecution — 5 years standard jurisdiction • Conditions imposed (Treatment, Ignition Interlock, etc.) O 1 Year Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond 4 Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Next Admin Review O 2 Year Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Next Admin Review O 3 Year Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Next Admin Review O 4 Year Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Next Admin Review O 5 Year Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled for case closure ■ Stipulated Order of Continuance — Jurisdiction varies o Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled for case closure ■ Guilty Plea 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled • Motion Readiness Hearing Scheduled - Witness subpoenas issued o Case dismissed 4 case closed o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond 4 Pretrial Hearing Scheduled o Parties do not reach an agreement 4 Jury Trial Scheduled — Jury summons issued o Parties reach agreement — See "Parties reach an Agreement" under Pretrial Hearing Scheduled. • Jury Trial Hearing Scheduled o Not guilty 4 Case dismissed 4 Closed o Guilty 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled • Sentencing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond 4 Sentencing Hearing Scheduled o Sentencing Held — Jail and fines imposed/Jurisdiction/Monitoring ■ Deferred Sentence — Jurisdiction varies o Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled for case closure ■ Suspended Sentence — Jurisdiction varies o Admin Review 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Conditions reinforced/Compliance • No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued ■ Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant posts bail bond - Review Hearing Scheduled • Compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled for case closure • Review Hearing Scheduled for Compliance o No compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled ■ Defendant fails to appear 4 Bench Warrant issued • Defendant booked into SCORE Jail 4 Review Hearing Scheduled • Defendant appears for Warrant Walk-in Calendar 4 Review Hearing Scheduled • Defendant posts bail bond 4 Review Hearing Scheduled o Compliance 4 Review Hearing Scheduled for case closure