COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. NO.: 3009-01
BILL NO.: SB 679
SUBJECT: St. Louis City Circuit Clerk
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 24, 2000
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the proposed legislation would give the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri (City of St. Louis) the authority to control designated positions (court room clerks, docket and calendar control clerks, data processing and personnel staff) by local court rule. Overall, CTS assumes the proposal would have no appreciable impact on the state or county budget of the courts.
Officials from the Office of the Attorney General assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their agency.
Officials from the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri - Office of the Circuit Clerk (City of St. Louis) assume the proposal would not have a direct fiscal impact on their budget; however, they assume their office would be required to employ additional persons to perform work that is currently performed by the employees who would be transferred to the control of the judges. The City of St. Louis Circuit Clerk is statutorily responsible for keeping records and their office enters nearly 400,000 pleadings into the computer record annually. The St. Louis City Circuit Clerk assumes that he would be unable to fulfill the duties required by his office, as he would be unable to require that the necessary work be completed by employees who are no longer under his authority. Specifically, the St. Louis City Circuit Clerk assumes he would be required to employ fifteen additional Circuit Clerk III's at an annual cost of at least $315,900 ($21,060 minimum starting salary times 15 positions); at least two new personnel employees at an annual salary cost of at least $57,000; at least three new docketing clerks at an annual salary cost of at least $93,000; and an unknown number of data processing clerks at an annual salary cost of at least $120,000. Overall, the St. Louis City Circuit Clerk assumes the proposal would result in an annual cost of at least $585,900, which does not include payroll costs, fringe benefits, and future salary increases.
Oversight assumes the proposal would not directly result in increased costs for the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri, as the proposal would simply transfer the authority to control certain employees from the circuit clerk to the judges. Oversight assumes that the judicial personnel in the 22nd Judicial Circuit would ensure that all current tasks are completed with available resources.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2001
(6 Mo.) |
FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2001
(6 Mo.) |
FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
The proposed legislation would only affect the St. Louis City Circuit Court. The proposal would transfer control over deputy circuit clerks, docket clerks, data processing personnel, and personnel officers from the circuit clerk to the court. Removal and conditions of employment would remain subject to Supreme Court Rule 7. The transfer would become effective on January 1, 2001.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of State Courts Administrator
Office of the Attorney General
22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
January 24, 2000