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Schley County commissioners discuss magistrate staffing, state pay mandates; part‑time judge offers possible pay reduction
Summary
At the Feb. 10 meeting the board discussed requirements and duties of two magistrate judges, the cumulative cost of state-mandated minimum salaries and COLAs, and heard that part-time Magistrate Judge Beamon might reduce his salary to help cover FY2027 shortfalls.
During the Feb. 10 Schley County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board discussed magistrate staffing and the fiscal impact of state-mandated pay increases.
Chairman Clark opened the discussion by apologizing to Chief Magistrate Judge Kevin DeVane for how the topic was handled at a prior meeting. Commissioners asked questions about statutory or procedural requirements for maintaining two magistrate judges in Schley County and sought clarification about the differing duties of the chief magistrate and the part-time magistrate.
County Manager Douglas Jamieson explained that state-mandated minimum salaries and cost-of-living allocations for magistrates have incrementally increased county personnel costs, and he presented a FY2026 budget amendment intended to accommodate those increases and other unforeseen expenses. The minutes record that the board is examining options to "maximize taxpayers' dollars," including discussing the combination of probate and magistrate functions for the county.
Part-time Magistrate Judge Beamon told the board he might be willing to reduce his salary to help offset projected FY2027 budget shortfalls. The minutes record this as a possible voluntary reduction; the board did not adopt a compensation change at the meeting.
No statutory citations or amendment dollar amounts appear in the minutes. The discussion was recorded as part of regular meeting minutes and informed the FY2026 budget amendment the board adopted during the same meeting.
