Courts ask for technology funding, Tyler migration and vehicle replacements; magistrate pilots self‑help eviction center
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Summary
State, magistrate and probation leadership asked for restoration of court technology funds, a $150,000 data‑migration request to move Pretrial Services to a new Tyler platform and multiple vehicle replacements for probation and marshal units; magistrate court also proposed a self‑help pilot to assist eviction litigants.
Judicial leaders across state, magistrate and probation courts told the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee they need restored and additional technology funding and vehicle replacements to sustain high volumes of hearings and public‑facing services.
Edwin Bell, court administrator for Magistrate Court, said the Pretrial Services software that supports supervision is being sunsetted and asked for $150,000 to migrate data and cover migration costs (on top of approximately $76,000 in general technology needs for monitors, laptops and maintenance). Bell said migration and implementation will take 12–18 months and said the earliest the new system could be fully online is April 2027.
State Court Chief Judge Jacobs and probation and marshal leadership described aging vehicle fleets (some models dating from 2007–2012 with high mileage) and asked to phase in replacements so the units enter the regular county vehicle replacement cycle. Chief Probation Officer Jumaane Davis requested six replacements to phase out high‑mileage vehicles; Marshal Kevin Richardson asked for 13 to restore operational capacity.
Magistrate Chief Judge Kimberly Anderson described a planned access‑to‑justice/self‑help center pilot that would provide brief attorney assistance and navigation for dispossessory (eviction) cases; DeKalb handles more than 30,000 dispossessory cases per year, and commissioners discussed complementary legal‑assistance funding (the administration previously proposed a $250,000 pilot for legal aid support). Commissioners asked for spreadsheets and follow‑up reports on pilot outcomes and vehicle/technology line items.
No votes were held; staff agreed to collect procurement and line‑item detail for committee review.