Statement Concerning Chief Judge’s Lawsuit Over Layoffs

From the outset of this process, Judge Hoffman has encouraged us to engage in communications with the Office of the Chief Judge to resolve this situation. We have done so. Unfortunately, the Chief Judge continues to insist that his office is provided with at least $290 million for FY18 instead of the $255 million contained in the Board-approved budget -- which is approximately the same amount his office spent in FY17. The County approved an appropriation that it determined adequately supported the Office of the Chief Judge, and the County does not have the resources to appropriate additional funds. Nonetheless, the Chief Judge, as do all offices, has the ability to seek fund transfers from the Board during the year to address any operational priorities as long as the office stays within its overall allocated amounts.