In a work session Sept. 22, the Auburn City Council gave what may be the final eyeballing to an ordinance that will end the city’s interlocal agreement with King County District Court to then re-establish the city’s own municipal court for the first time since 2013.

Monday’s action is the first step toward setting up the municipal court, which should begin operations on Jan. 1, 2027, immediately after the interlocal agreement expires.

On May 5, 2025, the Auburn City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to terminate the interlocal agreement.

When the city passes the ordinance itself, the mayor will appoint a judicial officer, whom the council will then confirm, and that officer will choose a court administrator, and will work with them to make all necessary arrangements.

Candis Martinson, director of human resources and risk management for the City of Auburn, who has also managed the District Court contract, said a follow-up, yet-to-be-drafted ordinance will amend the Auburn City Code to replace references to King County District Court to “ensure consistency and clarity. “

“The court will have exclusive jurisdiction over all traffic, parking, civil infractions, and criminal violations arising under city ordinances. It will also establish a process for appointment and eventual election of judges, with salaries tied to 95% of the (state set) salaries of district court judges,” Martinson said.

The new chapter will also outline independence of the judiciary, providing, Martinson said, for a judge pro-tem, vacancies, removals, court employees, revenue and sentencing authority.

According to the city, within 30 days of the effective date of the new chapter in the city code, or any ordinance of the city council that provides for additional judges, the mayor will appoint a judge, who will then be subject to confirmation by the city council. The appointment of judges will expire on Dec. 31, 2029, and after that, judges will chosen by election to serve a four-year term.

“What are we anticipating as far as the number of judges we would need for our municipal court going forward, and what would that timeline look like? Are we starting with one, are we starting with two?” Councilmember Kate Baldwin asked City Attorney Jason Whalen.

“We’re starting with one, and so the statute does provide for the appointment authority by the mayor, confirmation by the council within 30 days after the adoption of the ordinance,” said Whalen, adding “but we know it may take a little longer than that. Ultimately … based upon the caseload that we have, we’re going to have to have two full-time judges.”

The municipal court, its courtrooms, chambers, and its administrative and clerical offices will be in the Auburn Justice Center.