Magistrate court restructure, water and sewer rate hike move forward at December 10 Council meeting

City to restructure magistrate court operations

Leading up to a reorganization of the City’s court processes, Council approved a contract between the City of Globe and Gila County for the consolidation adjudication of hearings and trials and the sharing of magistrate court administration and operation.

According to City Manager Paul Jepson, this change is happening because as of January 1, 2025, the county attorney will no longer be prosecuting criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases. This shift requires the city to hire its own prosecutor and public defender to handle these cases. The change is also being driven by the planned retirement of Judge John Perlman on March 1, 2025.

Under the current system, cases are handled as follows: 

• Civil traffic and City code violations are managed entirely by the city magistrate court (Mo443). Cases are heard in City Hall, with Judge Perlman presiding. Fines and fees collected remain with the city.
• Criminal traffic and criminal misdemeanor cases are handled by the county justice court (JO 433) with Judge Jordan Reardon presiding. Cases are heard at the county courthouse, which has the capabilities needed for jury trials, detention, and security. The county provides prosecutorial and court staff support, and fines and fees collected go to the county.

In the new configuration:

• Civil traffic and City code violations will remain under the city magistrate court (Mo443). The city’s office will continue to handle these cases, but trials and hearings will now be conducted at the county courthouse and will be heard by Judge Reardon. Some changes will occur in administrative procedures. Fees and fines will continue to go to the City.
• Criminal traffic and criminal misdemeanors will be taken over by the city magistrate court and will be cited into Mo443. However, the physical office location for these cases will continue to be at the county courthouse. Hearings and trials for these cases will continue to be held at the county courthouse, with Judge Reardon presiding. However, the city will now retain fines and fees.

To handle the expanded responsibilities, the city will need to negotiate a contract with a prosecutor replacing the work of the current county-provided prosecutor. This is anticipated to be Andy Jolly, who is currently under contract with the City for prosecutorial work on civil and code cases.

Operationally, there will be some changes to processes, including that officers will now cite criminal traffic and misdemeanor violations into the city magistrate court rather than the county justice court.

“Justice should be swift. It should be fair, but it should be swift. And I think this process will lend itself to that thought.” Councilman Mariano Gonzalez

Jepson pointed out that the new system will create enhanced communication and cooperation between the police, the prosecutor, and the court, resulting in benefits to public safety.

Financially, the change is expected to have an annual impact of $147,595.83. The City will need to make a contingency transfer for $175,000 to cover the initial six months of the contract with the county, plus additional related costs needed to complete the transition. Jepson emphasized that the City will be receiving additional fines and fees through the new system.

“When people are held accountable for the actions that they take, they tend to learn from that.” Chief Dale Walters

Police Chief Walters said there will be some complications during the first six months of the new system, and many details to be sorted out, but he highlighted the overall positive impact of the changes. He anticipates a reduction in repeat offenders due to more consistent enforcement and legal follow-through.

Water and sewer rate hike passes after public has “no comment” on proposal

As part of the process of approving a resolution adjusting water and wastewater rates, Council opened a public hearing to hear comments from residents, but there were no takers. 

Council members pointed out that the public hearing had been announced on social media, and that many people had approached them personally with strong opinions – but no one appeared at the meeting to voice their opinions.

“This is the time for you to come and comment, and I’m a little disappointed we didn’t have the public participation to comment on the proposal.” Mayor Al Gameros

The resolution will lead to a 12% increase in water and wastewater rates and will also establish new development water and wastewater capacity fees. The changes would take effect on March 1, 2025. City officials said they will do their best to make this the last rate increase for at least five years.

“These are essential services. … We have to show we can take care of what we own and maintain what we have. Failure to do so – we don’t have that option as a city.” Councilman Mariano Gonzalez

“As leaders on this council, our job is to be good stewards of the City. Neglecting our infrastructure is not being good stewards, and doing that just because you want people to like you is not being a good steward of the City. We have to be responsible.” Councilman Fernando Shipley

“This mayor and council have an obligation that beyond this rate increase, we will do our best to keep that rate for the next five years and not raise rates again.” Councilman Freddy Rios

Council held a discussion explaining the reasons for the rate hike, including the need to be proactive in maintaining infrastructure and to meet requirements to qualify for low-cost financing.

Library to offer tai chi for seniors and art activities in 2025

Library Director Rayel Starling presented a review of the library’s activities in 2024. The theme for the year was “Adventure Begins at Globe Public Library.” 

So far this year:

• The library has had over 27,000 visitors. 
• About 27,000 items have been loaned out since the beginning of the year. 
• The summer reading program had 159 participants, including 42 adults, and they read 121,000 minutes altogether. 
• The library served 1,344 meals and sent home 408 bags, with the help of GUSD.

The library offers business services such as copy and fax, employment services to help people find and apply for jobs, health and safety services, and a spice library, where people can take 2 tablespoons of any spice they have. There is also a mobile library service.

Programs include early literacy, a book club where parents and children to read together, health and wellbeing programs like chair aerobics and yoga, and a walk/run group. There are lifelong learning activities, kids cooking, and spice of the month. 

The library also provides community engagement and entertainment activities, including movies and special events.

The library depends on the Friends of the Globe Public Library and the United Fund. There is a library committee, and the library district helps with funding as well.

Looking toward 2025, the library will have a new shade structure, which is under construlction now. The library will be offering tai chi for seniors, and the theme for the year will be “Globe Public Library Colors Your World,” focusing on art.

The library has four staff members, including Rayel, and is normally open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 to 2.

City boards, committees, and commissions looking for new members

City Clerk Shelly Salazar presented an overview of the City’s process for appointing board, commissions, and committees. 

The City currently has the following board, committees, and commissions:

• Planning and Zoning
• Library Advisory Board
• Historic Preservation Advisory Commission
• Board of Adjustment

All boards, committees, and commissions are created by the Council, which also sets their responsibilities. Council selects and appoints the members of all boards, committees, and commissions, who then work side by side with City staff to support the goals of the Council and reflect Council’s values.

The application process has been updated and is now outlined as follows:

1. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
2. When there are vacant seats, a call for applications will be posted on the City website and publicized in other ways.
3. Applicants need to fill out and submit an application form to the City Clerk.
4. The Clerk will give the applications to Council for review.
5. Council ranks the applications and conducts interviews in order of the ranking. It’s the City Clerk’s job to schedule the interviews. They take place during regularly scheduled Council meetings. 

This application process is intended to allow Council members and the public to meet potential members, ask questions of one another, and discuss the alignment of goals and visions. It’s during the interview process that Council ascertains that the potential members will act in alignment with Council’s wishes.

During her presentation, Salazar provided specific details about the process, including how rankings are done.

Jepson pointed out that not all applicants will necessarily be interviewed, and people who go through the interview process will not necessarily be appointed.

The new process will begin in January. Salazar pointed out that the process is solely for filling vacancies – existing members do not have to go through it.

Salazar said there are currently vacancies on all board, committees, and commissions, and she already has several applications on her desk.

Motions approved

Council also approved motions for the following:

• Accounts payable in the amount of $727,814.15
• Approving a contract with Central Arizona Governments for the administration of the Community Center Skate Park Project. The project will be funded through the FY24 Community Development Block Grant awarded to the City of Globe for $253,821. The cost of the administrative services contract will be $22,229, which will come out of the grant funds.

Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton (District 4), and Council members Freddy Rios (District 1), Mike Pastor (District 2), Jesse Leetham (District 3), Mariano Gonzalez (District 5), and Fernando Shipley (District 6). All members were in attendance at this meeting.

To view this meeting online, visit City Council Meeting – December 10, 2024.

To view documents related to this meeting, click here. 

Full minutes can be found by going to the City Hall website . 

The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. 

Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing the meeting live on YouTube. To view the live stream of the Council meeting, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona). Or click on the “Live Stream on YouTube” link at the top of www.globeaz.gov.

To speak to agenda items before or during the meeting, call or text (928) 200-0154 or email council@globeaz.gov. If you desire to speak to the Council during an agenda item.