Judge wants an end to financial dispute

Print Story

Email to Friend

Discuss this story

The judge would rather meet first with council's finance committee.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — Judge Michael Bernard of Girard Municipal Court says he has had enough, and he now wants to put the financial battle between the court and the city behind him.

Judge Bernard, immediately after an appellate court ruling denying his request for more funding for his court, said he would continue the court battle with city officials to obtain the additional funding.

But he has since had a change of heart. The judge said he will accept an invitation from city council to sit down and discuss the court's 2006 budget.

"I am going to cooperate with council," he said. "I am going to appear and provide this council with the information it needs."

The city and municipal court went to the 11th District Court of Appeals over two orders for additional court funding issued by Judge Bernard in 2005 and this year.

The 11th District Court of Appeals panel late last month threw out an earlier funding order by a magistrate and called on city and court officials to reach an agreement on the dollar amount needed to fund the court.

Last week, council members invited the judge to come in before the next council meeting and discuss the court's new budget.

Additional funds

Council also agreed to appropriate an additional $35,000 to the court so that its employees could be paid through Oct. 9. Lawmakers said the additional funds are a show of good faith to the court after the appellate court ruling.

The state fiscal commission, put in place to oversee funding in the city, unanimously passed a motion to allow the additional appropriation.

Judge Bernard, however, did have one request of city council concerning the potential meeting. He asked that it be held before council's finance committee with any discussion being heard by council at a later date.

Judge Bernard said the purpose of any meeting will be to set any past disagreements aside and have a focused discussion on court funding. He said the meeting will be a chance for city and court officials to get away from court disputes and back to the business of serving the people.

"I am obligated to serve the people equally, fairly and to the best of my ability. That is my focus," he said.

Judge Bernard said he wants there to be an accurate account of what is said during the upcoming meeting and will likely be bringing his own court reporter to document the discussion.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

Monday, October 2, 2006