HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemorandum of Understanding between City and Gallatin County for Victim/Witness Position Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Tim Cooper, Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Gallatin County for
Victim/Witness Position
MEETING DATE: September 2, 2008
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Bozeman and Gallatin County to create a new full-
time Victim/Witness Position, subject to approval of final FY 09 budget
BACKGROUND: Montana statutes impose a duty on local law enforcement agencies to notify
crime victims of the status of criminal cases in which they are involved, including the availability of crime victim
compensation, whether an offender has been arrested and released, the date and time for proceedings in the case,
and the possibility of plea negotiations with the defendant. The City and the County have cooperated in the
provision of these services for crime victims. However, the victim/witness office has not had additional staff
since 1998, and the caseload of the office has increased considerably over the past ten years. Both the City
Attorney and the County Attorney offices have identified the need for a new full-time victim/witness position in
the County’s victim/witness office.
FISCAL EFFECTS: The City of Bozeman and Gallatin County shall each pay 50% of the salary
and benefits of the new hire. The new position will have a start date of October 1, 2008, and the cost to the
City will be $33,392.25 for fiscal year 2009. This amount will be approved as part of the City Attorney
budget, Fund 174 – Victim witness advocate special revenue fund.
ALTERNATIVES: No action.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Tim Cooper
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