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Youngtown increases magistrate pay, approves pro tem judges and pursues virtual jail hearings to cut transport costs
Summary
Council approved a magistrate employment agreement raising annual pay to $25,200, authorized three pro tem judges at $50/hour, and discussed implementing Zoom/Teams hearings to reduce monthly inmate transport costs estimated at $13,000–$14,000.
The Youngtown Council approved updates to municipal court contracts and discussed operational changes intended to reduce jail‑related costs.
Council approved a magistrate employment agreement through June 30, 2028, setting annual compensation at $25,200. Town Manager Brian Stutsman said the judge had not received a pay increase in 13 years and that the contract also removes a prior requirement that the magistrate personally secure and pay pro tem coverage when unavailable.
The council unanimously approved professional service agreements for three pro tem judges—John Phebus, Wayne March and Michael Branham—at $50 per hour to provide coverage when required. Staff allocated $1,500 in the upcoming fiscal year to cover occasional pro tem costs.
Stutsman and councilmembers discussed expanding the court’s use of virtual hearings for defendants in custody to reduce the Town’s monthly transport bill, which Stutsman estimated at $13,000–$14,000 per month under current practices. He said the Town has begun coordinating with the sheriff’s office on tele‑jail capability and expects implementation costs to be minimal (staff noted a laptop purchase could be covered by the Court Enhancement Fund).
Why it matters: the contract changes aim to modernize local court operations, improve coverage without burdening the magistrate, and lower recurring jail transport costs through remote hearings.
