Council tables Superior Court request to reclassify supervising court reporters pending budget clarity

Judge Shively told the Personnel/Finance Committee the Superior Court sought reclassification of 10 court-reporter positions, primarily to reflect supervisory duties for staff that oversee family-court Title IV-D activity and ensure accurate reimbursement coding.

“These are supervising court reporters,” Judge Shively said, noting that six of the 10 positions are involved in Title IV-D work that generates federal reimbursements to the county. Superior Court Administrator Sarah Wells added that Title IV-D reimbursements vary month to month depending on case assignments and that, in previous years, reimbursements for Title IV-D staff approached about $400,000.

Council members raised the same SB1-driven budget concerns that shaped other agenda items. One council member said approving the reclassifications would create recurring salary obligations — the court estimated the combined cost at about $70,000 in additional annual salary expense — and suggested tabling the request until state guidance on revenue limits and budget adjustments is available. The court asked the council to consider that reclassifying supervisors helps ensure accurate reimbursement billing and oversight.

A motion to table the court’s request passed; council members asked the court to return with any additional documentation that shows the anticipated net fiscal impact after Title IV-D reimbursements are factored in.

No positions were reclassified at the meeting; the matter is to be revisited when the county’s fiscal outlook is clearer.