Common Pleas President Judge Richard K. Renn said on Wednesday that he's reached out to two local legislators regarding the Jan. 2 retirement of Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Brillhart.
"I've asked our representatives to hold off (on filling the position)," Renn said. "I obviously wouldn't be asking if there was any other alternative."
The state pays the salaries of county judges, but county taxpayers must foot a portion of the bill for providing each judge with a secretary, a law clerk and tipstaffs, Renn said, as well as office equipment and furniture.
"We get a (state) reimbursement, but our reimbursement is down, I believe, 11 percent this year," he said. "We don't have
the budget to provide a support staff."
Renn said state Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Windsor Township, has indicated he will consider the request. Renn said he's not yet spoken to state Sen. Mike Waugh, R-Shrewsbury, but left a message for him.
Same number: Newly elected county judges Chuck Patterson and Harry Ness -- who will be sworn in Jan. 4 -- would not be affected by Renn's request. One will replace retiring Common Pleas Judge John C. Uhler; the other will be filling a new judicial position created by the state.
That new judge slot means if Renn's request is granted, York County will have the same number of judges as in 2009.
Renn confirmed that even as recently as six months ago, he could not have foreseen needing to keep a judicial position empty.
"It's going to be tough -- there's no question about it," he said, especially with adult and juvenile criminal cases on the rise. "Fortunately, we'll have two senior judges this (coming) year, which we have not had in the past, which will help."
After retiring, both Uhler and Brillhart will serve as senior judges, helping to alleviate the caseload, Renn said.
However, the state notified the counties that because of budgetary restraints, the state will be cutting the number of days that senior judges can hear cases, according to Renn.
OK for now: "We're fortunate (in that) we're on top of our caseload," he said. "But that could change very drastically over the coming year."
If there's a rise in criminal cases, or even a spike in homicides or complex civil cases, "we could be in trouble," he said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed."
The York County commissioners have asked all county department heads to cut their budgets by 5 percent.
President Commissioner Steve Chronister said he, like Renn, thinks York County's judges will be able to stay on top of the caseload even if Brillhart isn't replaced.
"I'm very optimistic they can," he said. "They may have to take on a little bit more, but I think there's room to work. ... We have some judges who are working very, very hard. And we have some who just aren't."
-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com, 505-5429 or twitter.com/ydcrimetime.
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