Barbara Melton, a candidate for Clark County clerk, is criticizing what she says is a decision by incumbent Clerk Scott Weber that would shutter a service that helps individuals navigate the court system.
But Weber said no firm decision has been made.
“She’s really jumped the gun and made an inaccurate statement,” said Weber.
Last week, Melton sent out a press release stating that the court facilitator’s office would be effectively closed by the end of the year due to budget cuts. Melton, a Democrat, stated in the release that, if elected, she would reopen the facilitator’s office.
The facilitator’s office provides information on how to initiate certain family law actions, court rules and procedure, scheduling, community resources, paperwork and others. People using the service pay a fee of $20.
Melton, who works as a legal secretary in the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, said she heard that the facilitator’s office was on the chopping block from her union, the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 11. Melton serves as a shop steward for the union, which represents some employees in the clerk’s office.
Melton said that more than 75 percent of domestic cases filed in Clark County are pro se, meaning they are filed by people without legal counsel. She said that the facilitators help on average 600 clients a month. She said that people who use the facilitator services are sometimes fleeing domestic violence or are going through a divorce and faced with the prospect of raising their kids alone, all while trying to navigate the confusing court system.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Melton, who grew emotional when talking about the importance of the facilitator’s office. “To have someone who can say, ‘It’s OK. This is what you need to do; this is when you need to show up.’ It’s super calming. They are amazing people in (the facilitator’s office).”
The clerk’s office processes documents and helps with proceedings in Superior Court. It also disburses the court’s money and the money of litigants, among other duties.
Weber, a Republican, said that there are two full-time employees in the facilitator’s office. According to Chief Deputy Clerk Baine Wilson, the facilitator’s current two-year budget is $384,102.
Weber said that his office has gone over the budget scenario of closing the facilitator’s office, but there is a potential it won’t be cut.
“I do see a huge value in the facilitator,” said Weber. “It is very helpful for the court process.”
Weber pointed out that the level of his funding will be determined by the county council. He said the council could determine that some other county function, such as the sheriff’s office or veterans’ services, is a greater priority. He said that there are also legally mandated functions that the county needs to fund.
Clark County has struggled with a structural deficit, where expenses outstrip revenue, and has had to make cuts in response.
The county council is expected to approve a new budget at the end of the year. Clark County Budget Director Adriana Prata said in an email that her office is currently processing new budget requests. She said the goal is for the county manager to present a proposed budget to the council in the fall that they can amend before approving.
She said that Interim County Manager Jim Rumpeltes had discussions with all offices and departments about ideas for workforce planning efficiencies to address the county’s fiscal pressures.
“The Clerk’s Office is working on a proposal in this direction — the proposal is not finalized yet, as we are just processing budget requests this summer,” said Prata, when asked about cuts to the facilitator’s office.
When asked for her ideas on how to trim the clerk’s budget, Melton suggested outsourcing collections. She said that she “absolutely” stands by her statement that Weber is planning to cut the facilitator’s office. But she said that might change.
“Maybe he’ll get enough bad publicity that he will reverse it,” she said.
