Presiding Judge Ryan Dixon told the Financial Administration and Economic Development Committee that Overland Park must keep a roster of at least five pro tem (temporary) municipal court judges and that the city currently maintains seven.

That roster is used when full‑time municipal judges are unavailable for vacations, training or illness; pro tems have “the same powers and duties and responsibilities as the municipal court judges,” Dixon said. He said the roster includes former prosecutors, defense attorneys and sitting judges from neighboring cities.

Dixon said the group of seven covered 121 pro tem docket sessions in 2024 at a cost of $36,300, paid from the court’s budget. He singled out Andrew Couch, a long‑serving pro tem who Dixon said carried “probably about 75 to 85% of those docket sessions” last year and who repeatedly makes time to cover the court when needed. “He makes the time to be there,” Dixon said, describing Couch as the court’s “go‑to guy.”

Committee members asked whether Overland Park’s full‑time judges work as pro tems elsewhere. Dixon said the city’s two full‑time judges do not serve as pro tems for other municipal courts and indicated an ordinance or policy restricts that practice. He also noted the city has three courtrooms but said current case volumes do not justify creating a third full‑time judgeship.

Dixon said his duty as presiding judge includes ensuring continuity if a longer‑term vacancy occurs; he told the committee he would look to a reliable pro tem to step in until a permanent replacement is appointed. The committee heard no motion or formal action on the roster; the presentation was informational.