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Magistrate seeks city support for office security upgrades and modest operating budget
Summary
Chief magistrate Andrew Truitt described upgrades completed at the main magistrate office, ongoing shortcomings at the Second Precinct and requested transfer of small supplemental funds into operating lines; he outlined a $22,295 personal-cost budget and need for security features at the precinct.
Chief Magistrate Andrew Truitt briefed City Council on May 6 about the magistrate office’s FY26 budget and recent security improvements, and he described remaining needs at the Second Precinct.
Truitt said magistrates are state employees appointed by the executive secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and that most salaries and major equipment are state-funded. Localities, he noted, are responsible under state interpretation for “quarters” and durable items such as furniture. The magistrate office’s proposed budget includes $22,295 for personal costs and $21,687 in operating expenses; the personal-cost total currently includes a $5,000 city supplement for a position that recently retired, which Truitt asked the city to reallocate to operating expenses.
Security upgrades and remaining gaps: Truitt described significant security upgrades at the main office — armored pass-through windows, card-reader access, security cameras and two secure hearing rooms — funded and completed with city facilities staff. “We now have armored walls in between us and the public and armored pass through windows for the exchange of paperwork,” he said.
At the Second Precinct, however, he said the office still lacks a separate entrance/exit, dedicated parking, physical barriers and card-reader access on inner lobby doors. Those shortcomings, he said, create safety and operations risks, and magistrate staff are working with the city manager’s office on options.
Other items: Truitt noted a 2019 plan to renovate the main office that was delayed by COVID; he also described a state recommendation for separate entrance/exit, physical barrier and panic button. He said magistrates processed about $500,000 in cash bonds last year and that completing security upgrades reduces crime-of-opportunity risks.
Ending: Truitt thanked city staff for recent improvements and asked council to continue working with the manager’s office to address remaining precinct-level upgrades and the operating-budget reallocation.
