Chattanooga City Court Asks City For More Money

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – For the first time in more than a decade, Chattanooga City Court is asking the city for more money to even out salaries.

Russell Bean, a Chattanooga City Court Judge, says, "I’ve been a judge for 14 years and it’s never been done."

They’re asking for less than $25,000 a year.

Judge Bean adds, "You have some court officers that were making more than others, you have some court administrators making more than others."

Chattanooga City Councilman Larry Grohn says, "If judges have decided in their capacity that this is the best to operate their responsibilities, then I will support that decision."

Now, since there was a request for money, city council members asked the city judges to come in to answer some questions, like how come they need 12 temporary workers on the payroll.

Some of those workers are former city council members.

Judge Bean adds, "Say if a court officer is out, we’d call from this list to get a court officer in just for that day."

Councilman Chris Anderson asked if it was feasible to eliminate some of those positions and pull people off other jobs to fill in as needed.

Judge Bean adds, "I know they’re always trying to save money, but I don’t know that that’s feasible."

That could mean pulling a woman off her desk job in order to tote a gun around and work security.

Grohn adds, "I don’t know if were going to require someone else come from a different department, make sure they’re willing to strap on the iron."

Essentially, those workers would be learning a different job for the same pay.

And as it stands right now, workers in city court get paid $10 to$ 15,000 less than county workers doing the same job.

We asked, "How come the county gets paid more than the city workers and they’re doing the same job?

Grohn says, "You’d have to ask both mayors about that."

Budget talks continue, but we could find out as early as Tuesday night if Chattanooga city council members agree to those changes.