The Eastpointe City Council held its budget hearings May 14 and approved a $69.1 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Mayor Michael Klinefelt called for a wage study for the 38th District Court and for city personnel to determine if additional workers are needed and if higher pay is warranted for some positions.
Klinefelt directed City Manager Mariah Walton to begin planning for the study immediately and not to wait until the start of the new fiscal year July 1. “I’m not sure when the last one was done, but I don’t recall one but I think doing one city wide and rolling it in with the court would make sense,” said Klinefelt. “I think it would make sense to keep personnel wages the same until results of the study come in.
” The $42,000 allotted in the current fiscal budget for a court magistrate will remain at the same level for the upcoming fiscal year, despite the court’s request for an increase to $104,000, 38th District Court Judge Kathleen Galen spoke about the need to retain a magistrate in what is known as the busiest one-judge courts in Michigan. Currently, the court uses a part time magistrate to handle matters. “Having a magistrate is a reasonable and necessary expense,” said Galen.
“If you look at the intensity of the cases that come before us – 22 murders in three years, criminal sexual conduct, delivery of drugs, carjacking, armed robbery, assault with intent to commit murder, drunk driving, child abuse – the violent crimes have gone u.