Circuit court magistrates.

13LSO-0198.C1

FISCAL NOTE

There are currently six full-time circuit court magistrates.  The proposed legislation would allow the Supreme Court to determine, at the time of each magistrate’s retirement, if the workload of the county warrants a full-time magistrate.  If the Supreme Court determines that some or all of the magistrate positions are not necessary, the Supreme Court estimates annual savings of up to $175,000 a year, or $350,000 a biennium. 

Assumptions:

This figure represents the savings of the magistrates’ salaries and benefits, less the increased costs that would go towards hourly magistrates and travel costs of current judges.  

Prepared by:   Matthew Sackett, LSO  Phone: 777-7881

(Information provided by Kristi Racines, Supreme Court; Phone: 777-7502)