Ordinances 2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

"~1D~N'IN.'" h., it'" 'hJi\ , :> 1Jfl~012:"h5 . nil __~::...>> AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 12-21(b) AND APPENDIX A OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006) TO INCREASE ASSESSMENTS IN CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC CASES AND CERTAIN CIVIL MATTERS IN THE CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS. WHEREAS, Section 17.1-281 of the Code of Virginia (1950) authorizes a city that, on or after January 1, 2008, operated a courthouse not in compliance with the safety and security guidelines contained in the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines, to assess an additional sum not to exceed $3.00 in each criminal or traffic case in its district and/or circuit courts and in each civil action where the amount in controversy exceeds $500; and WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of General Services has certified that the former courthouse buildings were not in compliance; and WHEREAS, the former courthouse buildings could not be feasibly renovated to correct such non-compliance. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That Section 12-21(b) of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia is amended and reordained to read as follows: Sec. 12-121. - Fee for the construction, renovation or maintenance of the courthouses, jail or court-related facilities. (b) The Virginia Department of General Services, having certified that the city circuit and district courthouses in operation between January 1,2008 and September 21, 2012, were not in compliance with the safety and security guidelines contained in the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines, an additional fee as set out in appendix A shall be assessed as part of the costs in each civil action filed in the district or circuit courts and in each criminal or traffic case in the district or circuit courts. Such additional fee shall not be assessed in any civil action if the amount in controversy is $500.00 or less. Any assessment so collected shall be expended solely for the construction, reconstruction, renovation, or adaptive reuse of a structure or structures to replace the courthouses so certified as not in compliance. 2. That Appendix A of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia is amended to add the following provision: CHAPTER 12. FINANCE Code Section Description Fee