Board, Judges Meet but Fail to Reach Funding Agreement

County supervisors and judges met for nearly two hours Wednesday but failed to resolve a funding dispute that threatens to disrupt courtroom operations.

Both sides, however, agreed to meet again Monday.

Earlier this week, supervisors and judges emerged from negotiations to say they were close to an agreement that would reduce the amount of extra money the courts would receive this year from $13.9 million to less than $6 million.

But under the tentative plan, the county would agree to finance several court projects--such as installing an airport-style security system at the Central Courthouse--in next year’s budget.

Negotiators, however, apparently are still debating exactly how much funding the courts will receive next year.

Board of Supervisors Chairman William G. Steiner said the negotiations are at a “very sensitive stage,” and that neither side would comment publicly until after Monday’s meeting.

The judges insist that the courts will close down in mid-May without additional funding, a scenario county officials dispute.