Fiscal Note - SB 0002 - Reclassifies Five Associate Circuit Judges as Circuit Judges in St. Louis County
L.R. NO. 0210-04
BILL NO. SB 2
SUBJECT: Circuit Judges: St. Louis County
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 28, 1997
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
General Revenue $0 to ($54,706) $0 to ($67,288) $0 to ($68,970)
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $0 to ($54,706) $0 to ($67,288) $0 to ($68,970)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
Local Government $0 $0 $0
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the
proposed legislation would require that the next five vacancies in associate
circuit judgeships occurring in St. Louis County after August 28, 1997, would
be replaced with circuit judges. CTS reports that there are 13 associate
circuit judges in St. Louis County. Vacancies would occur when judges
resign, retire, are not retained, or die. Thus, it is difficult to predict
when the vacancies will occur. CTS would be responsible for the difference
in salaries (currently $80,623 for associates and $91,463 for circuit judges
or $10,840 each). Since judicial salaries are above the social security
limit and judicial retirements are unfunded, CTS assumes the fringe benefits
would be nominal and there would be no change in health insurance costs.
Additionally, CTS would be responsible for the costs associated with a court
reporter for each circuit judge (per Section 485.040) at an annual salary of
$40,232 each plus fringe benefits.
Oversight assumes it would be conceivable for a vacancy to occur at anytime.
The first scheduled vacancy in associate circuit judgeships to occur after
August 28, 1997, would be in FY 2008 (mandatory retirement at age 70);
however, unscheduled vacancies could occur at anytime. If all five vacancies
occur during this fiscal note period, the annual cost would be $336,440. For
purposes of this fiscal note, Oversight has ranged the costs from zero to one
vacancy for each fiscal year.
Officials from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Prosecution
Services, and the Office of the State Public Defender assume the proposal
would have no fiscal impact on their agencies.
Officials from the County of St. Louis - Budget Division did not respond to
our fiscal note request.
Oversight assumes the proposal could result in a minimal fiscal impact for
St. Louis County, as the office space, equipment and operating costs for the
court reporters would be local expenses. However, Oversight assumes these
costs would be minimal and could be absorbed with existing resources.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Costs - State Courts Administrator (CTS)
$0 to $0 to $0 to
Personal Service (0 to 1 FTE) ($42,563) ($52,352) ($53,661)
$0 to $0 to $0 to
Fringe Benefits (12,143) (14,936) (15,309)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON $0 to $0 to $0 to
GENERAL REVENUE FUND ($54,706) ($67,288) ($68,970)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
$0 $0 $0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of
this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
The proposal would provide for the appointment of five additional circuit
court judges for the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County). These
judges would replace associate circuit judges as they retire or leave the
bench on or after August 28, 1997.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of State Courts Administrator
Office of the Attorney General
Office of Prosecution Services
Office of the State Public Defender
NOT RESPONDING: COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS - BUDGET DIVISION.
This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.