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Sights and Sounds

By: dmc-admin//April 6, 2009//

Sights and Sounds

By: dmc-admin//April 6, 2009//

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imageFrayed cables and burned-out audio tubes are just two aspects of the Milwaukee County Court system’s outdated sound system which Chief Judge Jeffrey A. Kremers hopes can be fixed with federal stimulus money.

Kremers is exploring the possibility that a portion of the approximately $32 million in federal grants for state and local criminal justice initiatives in Wisconsin could be used to enhance the audio and video capabilities of the court.

“There are a host of these things out there, so anything that comes up and fits into one of our programs, we’re pushing it,” Kremers said.

When Gov. Jim Doyle initially solicited requests from counties in January, Kremers requested approximately $300,000 to purchase videoconferencing equipment for the courts to reduce the transfer of prisoners for some initial appearances in criminal proceedings.

He estimated that there are about 30 criminal and juvenile courtrooms in the county that could benefit from videoconferencing. Units cost between $10,000 and $15,000 each.
Since then, Kremers has considered pursuing several million dollars more to update the sound systems in about 55 courtrooms.

“It’s exasperating for parties and witnesses because a lot of times people can’t hear what’s going on,” Kremers said.

At this point, Kremers said nothing has been finalized and he has no indication of whether either of the proposals will qualify for stimulus money.

On March 30, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker had vetoed a plan to apply for every available stimulus dollar for the county, but on March 31, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors overturned that veto by a 16-2 vote.

Walker could not be reached for comment, but spokesperson Frank McLaughlin said the county executive supported the initial requests submitted in January, and is not against applying for some stimulus aid.

McLaughlin did not comment specifically on the court requests, but said Walker does not want to seek federal aid for projects which require matching county funds or long-term operating expenses.

“I doubt very much at all if any of the projects [being applied for] don’t fall under the federal stimulus criteria,” McLaughlin said. “The county board’s vote did not reflect that.”
County Board spokesperson Harold Mester said that members will seek available stimulus money, but still review requests with department heads.

“It’s up to each department, and in this case the chief judge, if he wants to work with the board and make sure projects are considered,” Mester said.

Kremers said he considers the initiatives “shovel ready” and neither would require additional staff.

He also noted that regardless of whether federal aid is available, the updates will be needed in the near future.

“The county will have to do this sooner or sooner than sooner,” Kremers said. “So this is not ‘hey, let’s make up a project to get some money.’ If there is federal money available to pay for these updates and save county taxpayers, it seems to me that is the intent of this kind of a grant.”

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