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Committees split on municipal-court pay; 6% for municipal court staff advanced, broader 165-person review tabled
Summary
After testimony from judges and municipal-court leaders, the finance committee moved an amended recommendation to provide a 6% increase to municipal-court employees and tabled broader adjustments for 165 nonbargaining employees pending HR and Safety Service review and possible executive-session review.
The finance committee took divided action Feb. 10 on pay adjustments affecting municipal-court staff and a separate group of chapter 165 (nonbargaining) employees.
Elyria Municipal Court representatives asked that court employees receive the same cost-of-living increase other city employees received. Judge Bennett and Judge White described the court’s caseload and listed programs the court operates, including Elyria Drives. Eric Rothgarry (court administration) said the court currently employs about 18 people and noted the court’s year-over-year revenue had rebounded following the pandemic.
Committee discussion focused on parity, funding sources and how municipal-court staff are paid. Judge Bennett and Rothgarry said the court uses a mix of general and special funds; the court also provides services for neighboring jurisdictions. Finance staff provided cost estimates if the committee approved multi-year increases: a 6% first-year cost for municipal court staff was calculated at roughly $143,000, followed by 5% and 4% estimates for subsequent years reported by the finance director.
After an initial committee motion produced disagreement, committee members moved an amendment to the committee report to give municipal-court employees a 6% increase (effective the first full pay period after council passage) and to revisit additional increases later. The amendment was seconded and taken up by the committee; committee chairs recorded the outcome as advancing the amended recommendation for council consideration.
Separately, committee members discussed chapter 165 managers and other nonbargaining personnel. Council members asked for a detailed review of individuals whose pay had recently changed (some moves and step increases had occurred in late 2023 and 2024). The committee voted to table any additional adjustments for the broader chapter 165 group until HR and the Safety Service director prepare requested details and member questions can be addressed; committee members requested those questions be submitted to HR in writing so staff can compile the necessary information and — if needed — schedule an executive-session review of specific employees before any action.
Committee members emphasized that the municipal-court staff are performing “front-line” duties and asked staff to discuss possible inclusion in a formal salary schedule review. No final pay-resolution ordinance was adopted at committee; the committee’s amended recommendation on municipal-court pay and the tabled request on chapter 165 will proceed to full council and to future committee work as directed.
