What is required for a city to retain handling fees for court costs?

To retain handling fees for court costs, timely reporting to the state is crucial because it ensures that the city remains in compliance with state laws and regulations regarding financial management and accountability. Municipalities often have specific deadlines for reporting financial transactions, including handling fees, to maintain transparency and adhere to budgetary guidelines mandated by the state. This timely reporting provides the necessary documentation and oversight that govern the retention of such fees, helping to avoid potential legal issues or funding discrepancies.

The other options, while potentially relevant in different contexts, do not directly address the fundamental requirement needed for a city to retain those handling fees. For instance, adherence to federal regulations or stipulations from local law might influence the overall operations, but without timely and accurate reporting to the state, these handling fees could be at risk of being disallowed. Additionally, while city council approval is important for many municipal decisions, it does not replace the necessity of fulfilling state reporting obligations in the context of financial handling fees.