An increase in staffing fees at the justice courts was approved by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors on May 10.

Supervisors were told that the current fee of $20 does not cover costs associated with operating the courts and should be increased to $30.

“The current justice court staffing fee is $20, and is intended to cover the cost of five justice court clerks, one misdemeanor attorney and one legal secretary. The current fee is not sufficient to cover expenses associated with these positions,” Finance Director James Menlove told the board in a memo. “As per the ordinance, the Navajo County finance department reviews this fee annually, and has determined that the fee should be raised to $30 and will be used toward expenses associated with five justice court clerks, one misdemeanor attorney, and two legal secretaries.”

According to Menlove, the county has estimated revenues from the justice courts at $234,823 and expenses at $347,667, for a net loss of $112,844.

Included in the estimate are salary and benefit costs of $151,304 for county attorney staff, $40,525 for Holbrook Justice Court staff, $32,726 for Winslow Justice Court staff, $41,414 for Snowflake Justice Court Staff, $41,414 for Show Low Justice Court staff and $40,284 for Pinetop Justice Court staff.

Estimated revenues at the $20 staffing fee rate include $76,873 from Holbrook, $27,250 from Winslow, $71,296 from Snowflake, $31,875 from Show Low, $22,656 from Pinetop and $4,873 from Kayenta Justice Court.

The last increase to justice court staffing fees was made in 2007. Menlove noted that the increase in staffing fees is not related to the recent fee structure instituted for cities and towns.

The fees will not be paid by cities and towns, but by individuals using the justice court system. Those required to pay the fee include plaintiffs in civil cases, defendants convicted in criminal cases and individuals convicted in traffic violation cases.

A public hearing was held prior to the board vote on the matter, but no members of the public spoke on the issue.

Supervisor Jesse Thompson noted that the fees should be brought back for review every year to see if small increases are needed each year rather than single large jumps. Menlove noted that the finance department reviews the numbers each year and suggests changes if they are needed.

Board members unanimously approved the fee increase.