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taking care of the business they have to provide now, but the next phase of volume may <br />be difficult to handle in their present facilities. There has been a 65% increase in his <br />caseload in district court in the last five years. They just want to have the facilities to <br />handle the increase in the upcoming years. There are some unforeseen circumstances <br />that must be anticipated. For example, there could be an increase in traffic tickets, a <br />case that may last for weeks, etc. He supports a master plan that is economical and <br />safe for everyone. He is committed to help in any way. <br />Commissioner Carey appreciates the judges being flexible and their efforts in <br />maximizing the use of the facilities. He asked if the projections for population increases <br />would be updated in any way. <br />Pam Jones said the master plan would update population projections. <br />Judge Buckner said that with the passing of the Victims Rights Amendment, if <br />you are a victim of a crime, you have the right to be contacted about the status of the <br />specific situation. As a result, the District Attorneys' offices will get significant numbers <br />of new employees. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels the County should not be paying $61,000 per year <br />in Hillsborough and $90,000 per year in Chapel Hill for rented space. He asked Pam <br />Jones to talk about the proposal for Homestead Road. <br />Pam Jones said that the Homestead Road site does have a parcel set aside for <br />courts. <br />Judge Buckner asked about Chapel Hill's responsibility for helping to build and <br />pay for court facilities. <br />John Link said that Chapel Hill does not feel they have a responsibility except for <br />the upkeep of the buildings. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to traffic court and asked Judge Buckner <br />if there is a convenience factor with having traffic court in downtown Chapel Hill versus <br />having it at Homestead Road. <br />Judge Buckner did not have an opinion about downtown Chapel Hill versus <br />Homestead Road. He said most of the people who get minor traffic violations in Chapel <br />Hill are from Chapel Hill/Carrboro, so there is a travel factor. The other issue is officer <br />availability and being able to bring in one officer at a time in a case that needs an <br />officer's testimony. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the master plan. He feels it would be useful <br />to have a presentation on the facilities report from 1995. He asked if there had been any <br />archeological studies on the remainder of the Hillsborough campus. <br />Pam Jones said that there have been archeological studies done only on the <br />land that they have disturbed but not on the entire property. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said he agreed with what Commissioner Halkiotis said <br />about the rent and court fees. <br />Joe Buckner made reference to court costs and said that in 1999 the court fees <br />were increased by $1.00. Perhaps revenues from the actual operations of the court <br />have not kept pace with the growth. <br />Commissioner Jacobs recommended passing a resolution to send to NCACC <br />and the state legislatures, articulating that the County is being asked to take on a <br />tremendous financial burden and the corresponding support has not been forthcoming <br />over the last years. <br />Chair Gordon asked about the recommendation for the Hillsborough area and <br />what was planned for Chapel Hill. <br />Judge Buckner said that there would not be superior court in Chapel Hill. The <br />courtroom in Chapel Hill is used for traffic citations. He explained what district court <br />includes as listed below: