Resolution center open to everyone

by BRAD ROLLINS

The Hays County Dispute Resolution Center officially opened its doors this week providing, officials said, an affordable way for lower-income people to resolve civil disputes.

Funded with a $5 fee attached to all suits filed in district, county and JP courts, the dispute resolution center provides a trained mediator to facilitate an out of court settlement.

“We’re here because the leaders of Hays County wanted residents to have a way to resolve disputes in an efficient and cost-effective way for those situations where it makes sense to try to do so outside of the court system,” said Anna Bartkowski, the center’s executive director.

“Mediation allows folks to sit down with one another in a comfortable, informal setting and figure out the best way to solve their issue, whether it’s family-related like divorce, custody or child support, a neighborhood quarrel or a business-consumer disagreement.”

The services are provided free or at low-cost to participants, depending on their income. Judges can refer cases to the center and the general public can also use its services without a pending court case.

The commissioners court voted 4-1 during the budget drafting process last year to fund the center after an informal pilot program operated out of Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Terry Kyle’s office. Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley was the only dissenter, saying it was bad year to impose new fees.

In October, the county executed a contract with Central Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc.

Hays County is 40th in the state to establish a dispute resolution center since the Legislature authorized their creation in 1987. The enabling legislation states, “It is the policy of this state to encourage the peaceable resolution of disputes, with special consideration given to disputes involving the parent-child relationship, including the mediation of issues involving conservatorship, possession, and support of children, and the early settlement of pending litigation through voluntary settlement procedures.”

Even before moving into its office space, the resolution center has settled 10 cases, eight of which were already pending as civil lawsuits in the court system, since beginning operation Nov. 1, Bartkowski said. Dispute resolution centers in Texas typically have a settlement rate of between 75 and 85 percent, she said.

The center is located at 829 N. LBJ Dr., No. 108, in San Marcos. For information information, contact the Dispute Resolution Center at 512-878-0382.