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Vigo County judges request new magistrate, two court reporters and equipment funding
Summary
County judges told the Vigo County Council they have selected a magistrate and requested county funding for the magistrate stipend, two court reporters, transcripts and modest equipment and furniture to staff a new magistrate courtroom space.
Charles Johnson, Vigo County Division Court Judge, Division 1, told the Vigo County Council the judges have selected Charles Ray to fill a new magistrate position created by the Indiana Legislature and asked the council to approve county funding for the position and supporting staff and equipment.
The judges asked that the magistrate receive the county portion of $5,000 that other county judicial officers receive, and they requested two court reporters (B-level positions), funds for transcripts, office supplies and a new recording system and computers for the new courtroom space.
"We are requesting the magistrate receive the county portion of $5,000 that all judicial officers in the county have received," Johnson said. He said the magistrate is expected to begin July 1 and that the judges intend to reassign a portion of juvenile and misdemeanor dockets to the new position to ease current workloads.
The judges asked for two court reporters because the magistrate will handle a mix of juvenile matters (post-adjudication CHINS reviews, termination of parental rights and related appeals) and criminal misdemeanors transferred from city court and division 5. Johnson said court reporters must prepare appeal transcripts outside normal court hours and that additional transcript funds would be needed for the remainder of the year.
The request included a systems-hardware line of $3,600 for staff computers and a separate recording system to maintain confidentiality for juvenile proceedings, plus office furniture and copier/service agreements where needed. Johnson said the magistrate will use the 4D courtroom and that some office space work is required at Community Corrections to house staff.
Commissioner Quickenberg told the council the commission will bring a related special call next week to finalize space and carry out roughly $20,000 in renovations for three offices at the identified location.
No formal council vote on the appropriation or position was recorded in the transcript provided; the request was presented and council members asked clarifying questions about location and timing.
Supporting details: the judges asked that the magistrate start July 1; Charles Ray (prosecutor's office) was named by the judges; requested items included two B-level court reporters, transcript funds, $3,600 for systems hardware, and an estimated $20,000 renovation budget for office space.
