Left, City Attorney Logan Beveridge and Mayor Andrew Halverson. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

The Municipal Court Oversight Committee is holding its first meeting Wednesday at 4 PM.

The newly- formed committee will learn about its roles and responsibilities from City Attorney Logan Beveridge before moving on to deciding a location for the municipal court, as well as how to chose the court’s first judge and clerk.

The court is a new joint venture for the City of Stevens Point and Village of Plover intended to make the legal process a bit more comfortable for those who receive an ordinance violation, to include speeding, disorderly conduct or first offense OWI. Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder said the municipal court is “more informal and a more personal experience” than appearing in Portage County Circuit Court.

Leaders from both the city and the village have said they expect additional revenue from the new court, and say the cost of tickets issues to offenders will be lower because state-level fees aren’t attached to municipal tickets.

The new committee is comprised of Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson, Alderwoman Joanne Suomi and Councilman Mike Wiza and Village of Plover President Dan Schlutter and Trustee Tom Davies.

The committee will meet Wednesday at 4 PM in the city conference room at the courthouse, 1515 Strongs Avenue. The public is welcome to attend.