From
Carolyn Keen
Title
Resolution for the appointment of William A. Mazur, Jr. as Grand Prairie Municipal Court Associate Judge for a two-year term
Presenter
Judge Bryan Arnold
Recommended Action
Apoprove
Analysis
The previous Associate Judge left the City in June 2016. From that point until the present, the position of Associate Judge was not filled. Instead, Alternate Judges were used on a contract basis.
However, a recent staffing review concluded that a full time Associate Judge should be hired. After extensive preparation regarding job description and a supplemental questionaire, the position of Associate Judge was posted across multiple platforms (GPTX job page, TML, careersingovernment.com, and governmentjobs.com, Dallas Bar Association, Tarrant County Bar Association).
Eighteen candidates applied for the position. Bill Crolley and Judge Arnold worked together to go through the resumes, selected eight of the candidates to be interviewed, and conducted each interview. The interview list included 2 in-house candidates and one of our current alternate judges.
Subsequently, the candidate list was narrowed to three for a second round of interviews. After this round, the Interview Panel felt as if each of the finalists would be outstanding in the position of Associate Judge. However, the candidate selected, William Mazur, had a significant edge in overall judicial experience. This includes serving as an alternate judge in the Grand Prairie Municipal Court from 1981-1996 and as the elected District Judge of the 304th District Court in Dallas County from 2007-2014. In addition, he is a lifetime Grand Prairie resident and maintained a private law practice in the City from 1978 - 2006.
Staff is very excited about the prospect of Judge Mazur becoming a part of our judicial staff and believe he will be a valuable addition to the Court.
Financial Consideration
Funding is available for the position in the 2018-2019 Municipal Court Judiciary Budget.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. WILLIAM A. MAZUR, JR. AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE GRAND PRAIRIE MUNICIPAL COURT OF RECORD
WHEREAS, this position will replace the associate judge position that was held by Associate Judge, Chad Owen Bull.
WHEREAS, the current judicial budget will support a full-time associate judicial position;
WHEREAS, two full-time judges are necessary to address and timely handle the required judicial activities at the Municipal Court as well as the magistrate duties with respect to arraignments and reviewing warrant requests.
WHEREAS, the City Council appoints all Municipal Court Judges as it deems necessary. The City Council appoints upon recommendation of the City Manager all Municipal Court Judges for a two-year term with eligibility for unlimited additional appointments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. Upon the recommendation of the City Manager, Mr. William A. Mazur, Jr. is hereby appointed as the associate judge of the Grand Prairie Court of Record for a two-year term or until such time a new appointment is made.
Section 2. That this resolution shall be of force immediately upon its passage in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, August 7, 2018.