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City Council approves supplemental appropriations for probate and juvenile courts
Summary
Columbus City Council voted to approve an $18,249 appropriation for the probate court and a $90,000 supplemental appropriation for the juvenile court to cover attorney and guardian ad litem expenses amid rising caseloads.
Columbus City Council on June 17 approved two requests for additional appropriations: $18,249 to cover this year’s operating overages in probate court and $90,000 for the juvenile court to cover rising attorney and guardian ad litem costs.
The judge who requested the probate appropriation, Judge D'Antonio, told the council his office had incurred unusually high attorney and guardian ad litem fees this year because of a small number of exceptionally complicated cases and recent equipment and staffing startup costs. He said the court’s operating projection for the year is about $79,005.94 and that the requested appropriation will cover expenses already incurred through the end of fiscal 2025.
The juvenile court director, Samantha Cannon, said foster-care intakes have climbed sharply and the court’s attorney fees have “ballooned out of control.” Cannon told councilors the juvenile court’s foster-care population had been about 525 children in recent weeks, up from under 400 two years earlier, and that multiple parents in single cases often require separate attorneys plus guardian ad litem appointments for children.
Deputy City Manager Goodwin told the council both requests were filed under Ordinance 13-39, which requires department heads or elected officials to request additional appropriations when they anticipate exceeding an adopted operating budget.
Councilor Byron Hickey moved to approve the probate judiciary request; councilors later moved and approved the juvenile court request. Both motions passed without recorded opposition.
Councilors thanked the judges and juvenile court staff for work on complicated guardianship and assisted outpatient treatment efforts. Cannon said the juvenile court may return at midyear if foster-care numbers continue to rise and additional funding is needed.
Councilors also asked staff to provide more detailed caseload and placement data from the Department of Family and Children Services as a follow-up.
Ending: The two supplemental appropriations were approved during the June 17 meeting; councilors and staff said they will continue to monitor caseload-driven costs and may revisit appropriations at midyear if trends continue to push expenses above budget.
