Judiciary requests $44,000 for phased laptop replacement, says no new judgeships requested

Chief Judge Melanie Chase briefed the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners May 20 on the judicial branch’s FY26 budget and asked the board to consider $44,000 for the first year of a three-year laptop replacement program.

Chase said the judicial budget totals $1.4 million with funding split roughly 33% general fund, 39% Article 5 fund and approximately 28% from grants and agency funds. She told commissioners the request supports existing personnel costs and that the judiciary is not seeking new full-time employees.

Nut graf: Why it matters — Judges rely on laptops for courtroom access to files and warrants; aging devices and expiring licenses affect court efficiency and can have immediate operational impacts.

Chase explained that the court has moved from paper case files to laptops and that software and licenses age, creating reliability concerns. The $44,000 request would replace roughly one-third of judicial laptops in the first year; the office emphasized a phased approach rather than replacing every device at once.

Commissioners asked about courtroom reorganization tied to the county’s criminal courthouse renovations. Chase thanked the commission for supporting consolidation of courthouses and said she and staff are coordinating with county project managers; county staff said they expect a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to come forward soon after CMAR negotiations conclude.

Commissioner Lockhart suggested county management consider including the $44,000 laptop ask in the manager’s recommended budget and report back. Chase said judges will continue to advocate for necessary state funding but praised the county for its stewardship and said the judiciary has been finding state-eligible items to minimize county cost.

Ending: County manager and staff will review the laptop replacement request for inclusion in FY26 scenarios and report to the board.