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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Ind. Courts - Still more on "Montgomery County judges issue mandate for staff raises" [Updated]

See this November 16, 2005 ILB entry for background on this judicial mandate case. The Indiana Supreme Court appointed a Cass County judge to hear and rule on the case -via this 11/7/05 order. Monday the Crawfordsville Journal-Review reported, in a story by Melissa Franklin:

Testimony was given by Circuit Judge Thomas Milligan, Superior Judge David Ault, and County Court Judge Peggy Lohorn regarding the pay increase of the judges staff on Monday.

According to testimony, court reporters compiled information regarding pay raises around surrounding areas regarding court reporters, administrative assistants, and secretary/bailiffs. The findings were than presented to the judges, said Theresa L. Davis, Reporter for Montgomery Superior Court.

The judges then tried to talk to county council about pay increases. "Each time we plead our case, it fell into deaf ears," Judge Lohorn said. Montgomery County judges mandated $10,000 raises for their staff in August 2005. The mandate was issued to stem turnover in the county court system after a third court employee left for a better-paying position. "That was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back," Judge Milligan said. "All the county employees are grossly underpaid."

The mandate was turned in days after the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance ordered the county to cut $750,000 from the 2006 budget. "We don't have any money to give them," County Councilman Terry Hockersmith said. "It's a mandate that we give them unappropriated funds and we don't have any unappropriated funds."

The judges all testified that court is getting busier which has increased the staff's workload. "In 2004 it became apparent we wouldn't be able to keep our staff without an obstantial increase of pay," Judge Lohorn said.

"We're scratching our heads all over the place wondering how we are going to keep the police officers and how to give everybody raises," Hockersmith said. "We're going to have to get rid of personnel to satisfy the judges mandate." The court will reside today at 9:00 a.m. at Montgomery Circuit Court.

[Update Wed. evening] Yesterday the Journal-Review had another report. This time the special judge was identified -- Julian L. Ridlen. From the story:
A ruling is expected in August in the case of Montgomery County judges ordering pay raises for their staff while other county employees received no special treatment.

Testimony concluded after the second day on Tuesday. Attorneys will submit final arguments in writing to special judge Julian L. Ridlen to review. * * *

"We don't have any money to give them," Montgomery County Councilman Terry Hockersmith said. "It's a mandate that we give them unappropriated funds and we don't have any unappropriated funds."

If Judge Ridlen upholds the mandate, Hockersmith said, the county will likely have to cut five employees this year and another 16 in two years. "We're scratching our heads all over the place wondering how we are going to keep the police officers and give everybody pay raises," Hockersmith said.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 19, 2006 08:04 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts