Yakima Scraps Plan for Community Courts Due to Budget Issues

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Yakima has tabled plans for a community court system for low-level offenders due to budget problems.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that on Tuesday the City Council moved to pull the proposal while staff looks for ways to close a projected $750,000 shortfall in the general government budget.

The proposed program would have worked to connect people convicted of misdemeanors such as graffiti, drugs or prostitution with rehabilitative services. It was projected to cost about $45,000 this year.

The City Council may revisit the proposal next year when the budget is more balanced.