With the Brockport Village election less than a month away, I want to encourage everyone to please get out and vote. The vote will be held on June 16 at 49 State Street, which is known as the Brockport Museum & Library of Local History. Currently, the Village Court is housed there.
Let’s start with some history. In 1814, over 200 years ago, the Town of Sweden Court was established. Back then, it was called a Town Justice Court. The Village of Brockport Court has been in existence for just over ten years. On election day, June 16, you will get a chance to vote yes to abolish the Village Court or vote no to keep the Village Court. You will be voting for one trustee, two justices, and also for the Village Court. When you arrive to vote, the ballot for the court will say: “Shall the Brockport Village Court be abolished effective June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.?” Again, a yes vote is to abolish the Village Court. A no vote will be to keep the Village Court.
Let’s review our Two Justice Courts. Yes, there are Two Justice Courts. Taxpayers who live in the Village pay for both the Town of Sweden Court and the Village of Brockport Court. Town Courts are required by law. Village Courts are optional. The Brockport Village Court is the last village court in Monroe County. Wonder why. Village residents may run for the office of Justice in either court. There have been a number of Sweden Town Court justices who were village residents. Both courts process the same type of cases. Village residents may elect to have their evictions and civil cases heard in either court. Justices from both courts participate in educational programs for our children. From time to time, they have both participated in these programs side by side. Vehicle and traffic tickets have Pleas by Mail options printed on the face of the tickets. Both courts will process these pleas. Requests for reduction of charges must be initiated between the defendant and the District Attorney. The DA has a process online or via mail. The process is the same for all courts in the county except the City of Rochester and the Town of Greece. Lastly, collecting parking tickets has been an ongoing issue, no matter which municipality. Courts can’t be their own collection agency.
Court Finances (per the Village Court’s spreadsheet available online)
Of the eleven years of court data, only four years produced a local share of fines sufficient to cover costs. The remaining years have reported losses. Fiscal year 2025 shows losses of nearly $35,000. The local share did not cover the full amount of wages, payroll, and benefits. There was no money left to cover court operations, utilities, and insurance. During this year’s budget process, the accounting department indicated a similar shortfall this year and should be budgeted accordingly.
What would happen without a Village Court?
Here is some good news for those of you who are sick and tired of increasing taxes, increasing water bills, and maintaining five buildings and the DPW complex. At one time, not that long ago, there were only two buildings to care for. Creating the village court required purchasing yet another building. Should the Village Court be abolished, the Village will continue to receive parking tickets and local ordinance funds in full, without the expense of the court. It is estimated that the village will receive approximately $80,000, compared to the village court costing us taxpayers $35,000 last year, and most likely the same cost or more going forward. What will be done with taxpayer dollars? Perhaps taxes could be reduced. Perhaps any money saved could go into the village reserves for needed projects. On another note, the DPW reported that the village will need to fund two roof replacements, a new HVAC system, and a sprinkler system soon.
To learn more, you can reach out to the Village Accountant, Dan Hendrick, or to the Court Ad Hoc committee.
Many of you know who I am and know that I deeply care about what goes on in our village. I encourage all of you to get out and vote on June 16. Together we can all make a difference.
Rhett King
Brockport
