Pierce County eliminates Hecht's post
TACOMA, Wash. -- Pierce County will soon have one fewer Superior Court judge.
The Pierce County Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to eliminate the position soon to be vacated by Michael Hecht, who resigned in the wake of his felony convictions of harassment and patronizing a prostitute.
The council cited the county's struggling budget in issuing the emergency ordinance to dissolve Department 9 of the Superior Court. The position will cease to exist on Nov. 16, when Hecht's resignation takes effect.
The council said instead of filling the vacated position, it will instead spend the $19,000 remaining in its budget to hire pro-tem judges who will hear cases.
"Eliminating this vacant position prevents us from making more drastic budget reductions later on," said Pierce County Council Chairman Roger Bush in a statement.
Bush said the council's decision will free funds for the county's public safety departments, which have been significantly strained by the county's declining revenue. He added the move may also benefit the county's 2010 budget.
State law sets the maximum number of Superior Court judges each county is allowed. Pierce County is allowed 24 Superior Court judges. Come Nov. 16, the county will have 21.
The Pierce County Council is scheduled to adopt the 2010 budget on Nov. 10.
The Pierce County Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to eliminate the position soon to be vacated by Michael Hecht, who resigned in the wake of his felony convictions of harassment and patronizing a prostitute.
The council cited the county's struggling budget in issuing the emergency ordinance to dissolve Department 9 of the Superior Court. The position will cease to exist on Nov. 16, when Hecht's resignation takes effect.
The council said instead of filling the vacated position, it will instead spend the $19,000 remaining in its budget to hire pro-tem judges who will hear cases.
"Eliminating this vacant position prevents us from making more drastic budget reductions later on," said Pierce County Council Chairman Roger Bush in a statement.
Bush said the council's decision will free funds for the county's public safety departments, which have been significantly strained by the county's declining revenue. He added the move may also benefit the county's 2010 budget.
State law sets the maximum number of Superior Court judges each county is allowed. Pierce County is allowed 24 Superior Court judges. Come Nov. 16, the county will have 21.
The Pierce County Council is scheduled to adopt the 2010 budget on Nov. 10.