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	Oct. 27, 2003 King County and cities reach accord over new district court contract King County Executive Ron Sims today announced an agreement has been reached with the representatives of the cities of Bellevue, Burien, Carnation, Covington, Duvall, Kenmore, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline, Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Woodinville over a new district court contract. "I am pleased that representatives from each of the contract cities and County staff were able to work collaboratively together to redefine how district court services are to be provided to contract cities," said Executive Sims. "The citizens of King County will continue to be the beneficiaries of excellent court services." Gary Long, Burien City Manager who chaired the cities negotiations team added, "We are pleased to have a contract agreement we can recommend to our City Councils. The cooperation of all of the sixteen cities was essential to develop this agreement with King County and is an important achievement. It also assures the citizens we serve that we have options for court services that are convenient and cost effective. Each City Council will now evaluate this contract to decide whether those objectives have been achieved." The new contract represents a fundamental shift away from the basis of the current contract in that it establishes a new funding arrangement that better aligns district court revenues and costs. And, it also sets up several processes that create a formal partnership where both King County and the contract cities will be able to collaboratively decide the best way to provide district court services to County residents. This should ensure that district court resources are applied in the most efficient and effective manner. Judge Wesley Saint Clair, Presiding Judge of the King County District Court said, " This contract recognizes the significant efficiencies and increased access to justice that are gained by the citizens of King County through a consolidated court system with multiple locations. The District Court strives to provide the highest quality of court services for our community. On behalf of District Court I would like to say thanks to the King County Executive, the King County Council and the cities for their vision and efforts in this process." The new contract may also form the basis for a longer term contract. In 2004, the District Court, County Council and Executive along with input from the contract cities will be working to complete an operational master plan and a facilities master plan for the court. The information and findings from these planning exercises may likely form the basis for the development of long term district court contract. King County and the cities have agreed via the contract to convene again in early 2005 to discuss the development of such. The new court contract will begin January 1, 2005 following the expiration of the current contract. It is anticipated that over the next several months, each of the district court contract cities will be taking the new agreement to their respective council for legislative action. The County Executive intends to take the agreement to the King County Council by the end of the year. Updated: Oct. 27, 2003 Executive's home Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.