Judge Patton told Madison County commissioners during a budget work session that his office is operating on an “inherited” no‑frills budget and asked the board to approve increased pay and targeted line‑items to keep routine court functions running.

The request put a spotlight on several items Judge Patton said are essential: a modest across‑the‑board salary increase for his staff, money for interpreters, a larger allocation for a court reporter, and a longer‑term solution for courtroom space and security. “I’m gonna ask for 5%. … I’m okay with 3 percent,” Judge Patton said, adding that a uniform increase is a “good faith effort” to retain employees.

The judge said interpreter funding cannot remain at zero. He noted the county frequently needs Spanish‑language translation within 48 to 72 hours for bond hearings and other first appearances and recalled years when non‑Spanish interpreters would cost “a $100 bill if you’re doing well.” He asked that the board budget at least a modest amount — he said he was “okay with using that $200 figure” for contingencies — so the court can meet state language‑access obligations for detained people.

Patton also asked commissioners to increase the court reporter line from current spending (he said he is “$16 in a hole” so far this year) to $1,000 to cover preliminary hearings that require a prosecutor, public defender and reporter to be scheduled together. On court texts and legal literature, he urged funding above the chairman’s lower figure and said he would “encourage plugging in that thousand dollars” for the reporter and that “books and periodicals … have to be something in there.”

On facilities, Patton described overcrowded Tuesdays when misdemeanor dockets and code enforcement hearings draw people who end up in hallways; he advocated moving or sharing offices to free up courtroom space. He said current arrangements increase security and logistics challenges when inmates must be escorted through public areas and noted Jack Huff serves as his bailiff and courtroom security. Patton repeatedly distinguished temporary fixes from what he called a “real solution” for courtroom layout and security.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about what a larger courtroom would require and about the interplay between sheriff’s deputy escorts, courtroom security costs and payroll coding; Judge Patton and staff discussed potential relocations of offices to free space but there was no formal vote.

Patton closed by reiterating the court’s limited budget approach: “No frills. No fluff. That’s my little budget,” he said, while asking the board to consider the requested increases and line items that would allow the magistrate court to meet routine operational and legal obligations.

Next steps: the judge’s requests will remain part of the ongoing budget work session; commissioners and county finance staff will continue to reconcile items across departmental budgets.