County court officials brief commissioners on staffing, transcript fee increases in House Bill 5046

Judge Mayfield and court administrator Carrie Spatanka Haney updated commissioners on staffing, planned reporting and changes to transcript fees that are pending in Lansing.

The court reported 18 open positions, which staff described as largely due to promotions rather than departures. Court staff also said they are being proactive in filling vacancies. The court administrator notified the board about House Bill 5046, which would raise transcript fees: the cost for an original copy would increase from $1.75 to $3.75 per page, and a copy would rise from $0.30 to $0.90 per page, according to the presentation the court offered to commissioners.

Why it matters: Changes in transcript fees would affect parties and users who order court transcripts. Commissioners asked for a six-month update from court staff; the administrator and clerk were asked to attend the committee or committee-of-the-whole presentation because the change affects the clerk's office.

Additional items: The court held employee awards: the Joe Zangiro Excellence in Service Award went to Hope Leach (juvenile probation), the Ronald Kenzel United In Service Award went to Irma Johnson (friend of the court) — the speaker noted Johnson has 30 years with the agency — and employee of the year went to Luke Whitman with pretrial services. The judge said the court has refreshed its strategic plan and will not let it "collect dust," and commissioners agreed to schedule a further presentation.

Next steps: Court staff will coordinate with county administration to present to the board or committee of the whole for the requested six-month status update.