NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Aragon

 

DATE TYPED:

03/07/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Bernalillo Metro Court Operating Expenses

 

SB

786

 

 

ANALYST:

Hayes

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$1,200.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to SB 790 and SB 791

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court (BCMC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 786 appropriates $1.2 million from the general fund to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court for the purpose of funding “operating expenses.”

 

     Significant Issues

 

  1. Construction of the new Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court (BCMC) building is expected to be completed by November 2003.  The new courthouse will be 244,000 square feet, more than triple the size of the old building, and will contain 20 courtrooms.  Because of the structure’s expanded size, operating costs will increase along with a need for more employees.  This legislation addresses the increase in operating costs.

 

  1. LFC’s FY04 budget recommendation for BCMC included an 11.5 percent increase for operating costs; however, the court states it needs more than what is recommended.  The types of operating costs for which the court requests an increase include: utilities, building maintenance, security control services and equipment maintenance contracts.  A more detailed listing of those costs is attached on page 3.      

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $1.2 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

 

RELATIONSHIP

 

SB 790 provides a one-time appropriation to BCMC for moving expenses.

SB 791 creates and funds ten new court clerk positions for BCMC.

 

CMH/yr