Busier court docket brings a two-year, $5,500-a-month contract for the municipal judge to tonight's consent agenda

Melissa's municipal judge would be paid $5,500 a month under a new two-year agreement on the City Council's consent agenda tonight, a change staff tie to a busier police department and court.

"Due to the increase in activity within the Police and Court departments, additional court sessions and time are required," Executive Director of Administrative Services Gail Dansby wrote in the staff report. The report says Judge David Moore has agreed to prioritize the Melissa Municipal Court's needs and that the city is adjusting his pay for the added time, his commitment and his tenure.

It does not state his current pay.

Terms of the agreement

The contract names Moore presiding judge for a term that runs Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2028. He would preside over the court's dockets, including pretrial hearings, arraignments and trials, with the presiding judge setting the days and times.

The monthly payment covers travel to and from Melissa, and the agreement says the judge is neither limited to nor guaranteed a set number of hours. The city may add or assign other judges, can end the contract at any time, and may extend it a year at a time if the council reappoints him under the City Charter.

Moore could leave with 30 days' written notice. Melissa would also pay for the training state law requires of municipal judges.

Tax increment zone administrator

Also on the consent list is a contract with MuniCap Inc., which lists an Irving office, to administer Melissa's tax increment reinvestment zone. The staff report, from Assistant City Manager Terrell Smith, says the city has one such zone and that MuniCap would handle its yearly reporting and compliance and help set up any future zones, including the required project and financing plans.

The agreement estimates routine administration at $12,500 to $17,500 a year, billed hourly, plus about $5,000 to set up. It lists flat fees of $15,000 per feasibility study, $30,000 for each new zone, $25,000 for each plan amendment and $25,000 for work on zone-related bonds, and says those fees are to come from zone funds or developers rather than the city's general fund.

Consent items pass in a single vote unless a council member asks to discuss one separately. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3411 Barker Ave.

Sources

cityofmelissa.com