Magistrate Court seeks to hire full-time clerk amid case filing increase

The Carroll County Budget Work Session held on May 27, 2025, focused on a proposal to enhance staffing at the magistrate court in light of increasing case filings. The session highlighted the need for a part-time intake position to be converted into a full-time role, as the current part-time employee is set to leave for law school later this year.

Judge Phillips presented case filing statistics from 2019 to the present, illustrating a significant rise in civil and dispossessory cases. In 2023, civil cases reached 2,832, while dispossessory cases totaled 2,821. The judge projected that by the end of 2024, civil cases could rise to approximately 4,470, indicating a growing demand for court services.

The judge emphasized that the current staffing level, with only one full-time employee handling intake, is insufficient to manage the increasing workload effectively. The proposal aims to create a more robust support system by adding a full-time position, which would help alleviate backlogs and improve service efficiency.

Funding for the new position is expected to come from reallocating existing budget resources. The part-time position currently has an allocation of $25,000, and the judge indicated that he could cover the additional costs needed to transition the role to full-time without requiring extra funds from the county.

During the discussion, questions arose regarding the financial implications of the new position, including potential benefits costs. The judge clarified that the proposed salary would include benefits, and he is working to ensure that the budget adjustments are feasible.

The session concluded with a recognition of the need for adequate staffing to meet the court's demands, as well as a commitment to further explore staffing benchmarks in comparison to other counties. The proposal will be reviewed further, with the aim of enhancing the magistrate court's capacity to serve the community effectively.