Jennings County would be losing a judge under a proposal approved yesterday by the Indiana Senate.

The bill, promoted as a cost-savings measure, would eliminate judges in Jennings along with Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, Rush and Scott counties, along with six juvenile magistrate positions in Marion County, if it becomes law.

The state Senate added an amendment to the bill, based upon a formula that weighs case load against how many judges there are in the county.

The state’s fiscal team estimates the elimination will save the state about $749,000 in Fiscal Year 2027, and as much as $2.7 million by FY 2032. Judges in Indiana make about $183,000 per year and magistrates make about $146,000.

The bill now heads back to the House, where it originated. If the House doesn’t approve of the changes, the House and Senate can negotiate in a conference committee.

Story courtesy of Network Indiana

Jennings County Courthouse photo courtesy of usda.gov