Committee outlines 2026 goals: facilities, mandate readiness, staffing and overtime

Committee leadership presented a set of proposed goals intended to guide the Judicial & Public Safety Committee in 2026: (1) a facilities-planning request for departmental space-needs reports covering the next 1, 2 and 5 years; (2) improved coordination with the legislative committee and tracking of new or pending legislation that may impose unfunded mandates or administrative workload; (3) interdepartmental reviews to identify operational efficiencies; and (4) working with Human Resources to maintain staffing levels and manage overtime expenditures where feasible.

Members emphasized practical, narrow definitions for "unfunded mandates" so departments can flag financial or operational impacts (for example, new forms or procurement-code changes that create added work). Circuit clerk staff highlighted that filings rose about 6% and that collections are down, underscoring the financial effects of legislative changes on court revenue. Committee leadership proposed a timeline (departmental responses by April) and said staff would return with a consolidated draft for committee sign‑off in February.

The chair asked departments for brief feedback that can be incorporated into a final set of committee goals; committee members and staff agreed to continue the conversation and provide written comments to the chair ahead of the February meeting.