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County Council approves $30,000 to cover rising court interpreter costs
Summary
Tippecanoe County Council on March 11 approved a $30,000 appropriation to cover interpreter costs across the county’s eight courts and two magistrates after judges and court staff described rising demand, new languages and large outstanding bills.
Tippecanoe County Council voted March 11 to approve a $30,000 appropriation to cover interpreter and language-access services used by the county’s courts.
Judge Morrissey, who identified himself as the judge of Superior Court 6 and supervising judge for the county courts, told the council the courts are using interpreters far more often than in prior years and face both large back bills and steady monthly costs. “As we speak right now, we've got a bill for $18,939,” he said, and added the courts spend “about $2,500 to 3,000 each month on interpreters.”
The request followed an explanation that a $10,000 state grant ran from June 2024 to June 2025 and that the county had previously provided $15,000 for the calendar year. Morrissey said those funds were partly spent and that, after a recent invoice, the courts were about $8,210 in deficit without additional county support. He also described how language needs have broadened beyond Spanish to include Burmese, Haitian Creole, Indian languages and sign language, and noted some hearings can require multiple sign-language interpreters when parents and children are all hearing-impaired.
Council members asked about the status of pending state grant requests and whether technology alternatives had been considered. Morrissey said an emergency state grant request was submitted “about 30 to 60 days ago” and that a routine grant application will be filed in April; he said there is no guarantee of state funding. On technology, he said limited options exist: a “landline” interpretation line can be used for some informal hearings but it is not a substitute for in‑person interpreters or appropriate for sign language.
Council members moved and seconded the appropriation and the motion passed following the council’s voice vote.
The appropriation covers interpreting services used by all eight superior courts and two magistrates; Morrissey said the $30,000 should reduce the current deficit and help cover monthly costs but that the courts may request additional funding later in the year if state grants do not materialize.
Morrissey said the courts are pursuing multiple avenues for support, including the pending emergency grant request and a scheduled April grant application, and council members indicated they would revisit the matter during upcoming budget discussions if needed.
