Commission discusses the future of San Juan County justice court system

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the county commission held a discussion on November 4 regarding the future of the justice court system at their latest meeting on November 4.
The honorable Judge Lyon Hazelton is set to retire at the end of 2025. Hazelton presides over both the Monticello City Justice Court and the San Juan County Justice Court.
A report outlined three options for the court’s future including keeping both courts separate, dissolving the Monticello City court or merging the two courts with an interlocal agreement.
Monticello City Manager Kaeden Kulow was at the meeting to advocate for the merger, noting that the city does not want to dissolve its court entirely.
The existing arrangement with the two courts sharing a judge and clerks has been in operation for decades.
The proposed merger would have the county run all operations and potentially streamline operations and services.
Members of the commission determined they’d like more time to review the drafted interlocal agreement with additional insight needed from County Attorney Mitch Maughan.
The county commission also reviewed the need to fill three county-appointed slots on the Judicial Nomination Commission to fill the court seat ahead of the upcoming retirement.
The nominating commission will vet candidates and provide resources for the county commission, who will ultimately select the new justice court judge.
The county attorney office and criminal justice coordinating council recommended court clerk Kelly Tracy, law enforcement investigator Wyatt Holyoak, and Steve Bennett, who works with juvenile justice, to be on the nominating commission.
A one-paragraph resolution formally adopting those individuals will be drafted and ratified at the next county commission meeting.
Members of the county commission also once again reviewed an interlocal agreement for building inspector services with Monticello City. County Attorney Mitch Maughan raised concern that the current draft of that agreement is not in compliance with state statute and said the county would not be insured under the agreement as currently written.
While it was recommended that the city contract building inspectors itself, Kulow explained the city’s concerns noting the agreement has been discussed since 2024.
Kulow added that for years, the city has unsuccessfully attempted to contract with an independent building inspector and even hire one part-time, but has had no luck, making the interlocal agreement necessary for Monticello.
Both parties agreed that the issue warrants further discussion. The interlocal agreement for building inspection services is tabled for a future work session.
Members of the county commission also approved a resolution updating the county sheriff’s deputy pay plan.
The resolution noted that the increase to fund the adjustments in wages comes from anticipated increases in the state daily incarceration rate allocations provided to the county for housing state inmates.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs raised concern about making the approval just before the annual budget review
“I think it’s important we know where income comes from and what share of the income and what share of the income takes care of the different things we need to take care of,” said Stubbs.
“I admire the sheriff for trying to have a good functioning department and I think it’s a desire of all the departments. We have many departments that have a need of having that same situation.”
Commission members Lori Maughan and Jamie Harvey voted in favor while Commissioner Stubbs voted against.