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SUBJECT
title
An Ordinance amending the City of Laredo’s Code of Ordinance Chapter 20, Municipal Court, Article I, Establishment of the Court, Article II, Presiding Municipal Court Judge, Article III, Court Personnel, providing for updates, and alignment with the City of Laredo Charter, and further establish specific sections; and declaring an effective date.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
Ordinance No. 2026-O-81 was approved by City Council May 4, 2026, amending Chapter 20, Article II, Entitled “Presiding Municipal Court Judge” of the Laredo Code of Ordinances by amending section 20-17 to provide for the commencement of the term.
BACKGROUND
On November 5, 2024, the citizens of the City of Laredo approved a charter amendment adding a second Municipal Court Judge position, designated as Municipal Court Judge Position 1 and Municipal Court Judge Position 2. Under the amendment, one judge is elected every two years, with the judges alternating in serving as the Presiding Judge.
With the term of the current elected Municipal Court Judge ending soon, and because the City Charter does not establish the terms for the alternating service as Presiding Judge, an amendment to Article II, Presiding Municipal Judge, is necessary to establish the presiding judges’ terms. This amendment aligns the ordinance with the charter amendments to reflect the addition of one Municipal Court Judge and the appointment of Associate Judges. Amending the ordinance is necessary to promote a stable procedure for the transition of the terms of the presiding judge, which in turn promotes smooth court operations.
Amendment to Article I, Establishment of the Court, and Article III, Court Personnel, also aligns the ordinance the City Charter regarding the position titles for the Clerk of the Municipal Court and the Bailiff.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approval recommended.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: FY26-27
Budgeted Y/N?: N/A
Source of F...
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