Dickson to add litigation tax to fund security improvements for city courtroom

The Dickson City Council is considering adding a privilege tax on all criminal and civil cases in municipal court to raise money for courtroom improvements. A resolution to add a $25 litigation tax per case to the current $99.50 court costs comes before the council at its meeting tonight. The resolution must be approved by at least two-thirds of the eight-member council and will take effect immediately if passed. The resolution states the Dickson Municipal Court “is in need of these additional revenues to be used exclusively for courtroom security and any upgrading or courtroom renovations.” Courtroom security has been an issue since City Hall moved out of the Municipal Building and the courtroom was no longer used as the council chambers. The courtroom’s windows were blocked in but there is still no secure place to hold inmates appearing in court or separation of the courtroom well from the audience. Dickson County’s Circuit Court used grant money to installed a plexiglass divider in the courtroom and now conducts many hearings by closed circuit television from the county jail. The council meets at 7:00 tonight in Dickson City Hall.