Tahoe Township agenda item was a look at court cases in the county's two courts

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - An agenda item for Thursday's Douglas County Board of Commissioners drew concern about its wording, confusing many from the public to the commissioners.

Agenda item: For possible action. Presentation regarding the caseload of the Tahoe Township Justice Court and the East Fork Township Justice Court and discussion to provide direction to staff to bring forward a resolution creating one township for Douglas County pursuant to NRS 257.010.

What it turned out to be was an informational item on the current caseloads of the two courts of the county and a presentation on how court data is compiled and how it needs to continue to be evaluated and updated with changing terminology and legislation.

Douglas County Court Administrator Bobbie Williams said workloads for both courts are increasing, and there may come a time when another court is added to the county. She went through court data, and how it is compiled and changed through new recording systems. Exactly how many more cases are in the valley (East Fork) than at the lake (Tahoe Township) were discussed. Although the valley workload is higher in most types of cases than the lake, they aren't as great as the differences in populations in each area.

Commissioner Hales asked for the item since both county judges are up for election next year. She said she wanted to make sure things were being handled in the best way possible. She said she wanted to check in to make sure case allocations to both courts were what was best for the county.

"I am not advocating for anything, just gathering information," said Hales.

Commissioner Rice said a lot of people thought they were doing away with Tahoe Township due to the wording of the agenda item, and he wanted to make sure that wasn't the case.

New Judge Mike Johnson of the Tahoe Township court told the commissioners that he and Judge Paul Gilbert of East Fork are working together and looking for solutions to any difference in workloads. He said they work together on 48-hour bookings and holiday/weekend warrant needs.

By law, the two judges can proceed over criminal matters in the other township, but not civil matters.

Rice said to leave the item alone for now, and Hales said maybe in the future they could have it on an agenda if any workload differences should need to be discussed.

There was no vote or guidance to staff.