Fiscal Note
The funding included in this resolution anticipates filling the new position about November 1, 2006. Funds are available in the Contingent Reserve (the current balance is $871,705). There is no impact on the tax levy or State Expenditure Restraint Program eligibility limits. The target for the Attorney's Office 2007 Operating Budget Request includes funding for this position.
Title
Authorizing a Community Prosecution / Nuisance Abatement position in the Office of the City Attorney, and amending the 2006 Operating Budget by appropriating $11,100 from the Contingent Reserve to the City Attorney's Office.
Body
Background
In the last ten years, there have been increased instances of houses or other locations within the City of Madison that would qualify as nuisances. These houses have a large number of police calls, building inspection violations, drug use and other associated problems. These locations often are the first signs of a deteriorating neighborhood, and if not stemmed, may lead to very troubled areas of the City.
The Madison Police Department (MPD) and the Office of the City Attorney (OCA) were able, in some instances, to put together coordinated efforts aimed at nuisance locations. However, these efforts could not be sustained over time, primarily due to a lack of resources in the OCA. Increased obligations on the time of the assistant city attorneys has made it difficult to maintain this necessary, coordinated effort.
For example, the number of appearances by OCA attorneys in municipal court has risen from 8,405 in 2003, to 12,131 in 2004, to 13,973 in 2005. This is an increase of over 60%, without the addition of any staff. While the MPD has added 32 commissioned positions since 1999, the OCA has added a one-half time assistant city attorney, while support staff in the OCA has decreased due to budget limitations.
A Community Prosecution/Nuisance Abatement program targets problem properties early in the process of c...
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