Wausau Pilot & Review
In a significant move toward regional cooperation, the Village of Weston is considering joining a newly established Rothschild Area Municipal Court alongside the Village of Rothschild, City of Schofield, Town of Weston, Village of Marathon City, and Village of Edgar.
The issue is on Monday’s agenda for the Village of Weston Board meeting. Wausau is not included in the initiative and has its own municipal court system at City Hall.
The proposal, outlined by Village Administrator Jami Gebert, requires all participating municipalities to enact identical ordinances to create and operate the Rothschild Area Municipal Court, as well as to approve a Joint Agreement that details the court’s structure, staffing, and financial aspects. This initiative was revisited after being introduced in the Feb. 19 Village Board packet, highlighting the necessity for a unified judicial system to serve the collective needs of these communities efficiently.
As the new joint municipal court initiative progresses, financial contributions from participating municipalities have been outlined, highlighting varying commitments towards initial startup costs. The Village of Marathon City and the Village of Edgar have both fulfilled their financial obligations, with no outstanding expenses at this time. The Village of Weston, Town of Weston, and City of Schofield are collectively responsible for a remaining sum of $2,000.00, allocated for the court’s initial costs. Specifically, the Village of Weston is set to contribute $1,500.00, the City of Schofield will add $350.00, and the Town of Weston is tasked with a $150.00 payment. These contributions will be directed to the Village of Rothschild, consolidating the financial groundwork necessary for the establishment of the joint municipal court.
One of the pivotal updates to the Joint Agreement includes determining the judge’s salary prior to finalization, an aspect that was reviewed by the Ninth Judicial District, ensuring the agreement meets all legal standards. Additionally, the Police Protective Services and Municipal Court Services Agreement, also discussed in the March 18 meeting, delineates the financial responsibilities of each municipality for citations issued, further emphasizing the collaborative nature of this endeavor.
The new court has received a certification letter from the Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Administrative District and meets statutory requirements. The courtroom itself will be housed in the Rothschild Village Hall.
The recommended action for the Village Board is to approve the Joint Agreement, marking a pivotal step towards operationalizing the Rothschild Area Municipal Court. A start date of May 1 is projected.
