Judges push for courthouse repairs, higher pay for court reporters and prepare for House Bill 85 changes
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Summary
Superior Court judges and administrators asked the commission to fund court reporter pay increases, elevator and security work at the courthouse and to plan for the state’s House Bill 85, saying the state will provide partial locality pay beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Superior Court leaders and court administrators asked the commission on May 15 to fund several courtroom and court‑system needs, including higher pay for court reporters, funds for courthouse repairs and preparations for House Bill 85, which will change how judge locality pay is handled.
Judge Patrick Haggard and other Superior Court judges said court reporter compensation is falling behind peer counties and that certified reporters are leaving for better pay. Haggard said contract reporters currently receive about $255 per day and that comparable jurisdictions pay $325–$350 per day or provide salaried, benefit‑eligible reporter positions. He and other judges estimated a $97,000 annual impact to the Superior Court budget to raise per‑diem payments and asked the commission to consider that funding.
Judges also described accessibility and safety problems at the county courthouse — broken elevators that required moving jurors and hearings to other venues, HVAC and security issues, and a need for cameras and upgraded entry systems. Judges estimated that a comprehensive camera and entry upgrade could run $1.5 million to $2 million; they said the county had earlier set aside capital for courthouse work and that some funds have been allocated but that further detailed estimates would be needed.
Judge Haggard and others also discussed House Bill 85, which the judges said was signed recently and will provide a state locality pay mechanism beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The judges noted that current supplements paid by the county will be phased out and that judges must opt in to the state program; they said the county should coordinate with the judicial circuit to avoid mid‑year surprises in funding.
Judges asked commissioners to consider modest supplemental budget increases to maintain court operations and reported that some Superior Court functions — veterans court and treatment services — are currently supported by state grants (judges said they received notice of a $134,000 veterans court grant). Several judges said they would try to cover smaller shortfalls within court budgets but asked the commission to fund items the state does not cover.
Commissioners asked for follow‑up documents and said staff would review court budget details. No formal action was taken during the presentation.
