Struthers municipal judge asks council to back state bill to make court full-time
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Summary
Judge Lum told the council the Struthers Municipal Court’s caseload rose to 4,385 in 2024 and asked the City to support state legislation to convert the part-time judgeship to full-time; he estimated the local share of the added salary at $15,750 a year and said he will draft a resolution for council consideration.
Judge Lum, the municipal court judge, told the Struthers City Council caucus that bids for courtroom renovations came in higher than expected and that he intends to rebid the work. He then urged the council to support state legislation to convert the Struthers Municipal Court from a part-time to a full-time judgeship, saying the conversion would allow more time for specialty dockets and community engagement.
"The case load has jumped significantly," Judge Lum said, citing Ohio Supreme Court statistics showing 4,385 incoming cases in 2024 for his court. He argued that other Ohio cities with full-time judges have similar per-judge caseloads and can operate specialty dockets such as drug court and mental-health dockets that the Struthers court cannot sustain on a part-time schedule.
Judge Lum said conversion must occur by state statute and that legislation would need to be introduced and approved in Columbus and signed by the governor. He said he has had preliminary conversations with Senator Al Catrona and Representative Tex Fisher and plans meetings with Mahoning County officials and the county bar association. "All I'm asking for, technically, is for you to support the legislation," he said, and told council he would draft a resolution for local support.
On costs, Judge Lum gave the council a local estimate: a city budget increase of $15,750 per year (the state pays the majority of a judge’s salary; the local share is set by statute). Council members asked the judge to consult with the auditor about fiscal feasibility and to provide the written materials and statistics he referenced. Members also raised procedural questions about whether converting the judgeship would change clerk-election status; Judge Lum said changing the clerk’s status would require separate legislation and was not part of his current request.
The council directed that when Judge Lum provides his written resolution and supporting data, it be given to the relevant committee (Dallas’s committee) for consideration and possible action by the full council.