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As Chief Judge I realize that each County is faced with <br />meeting the demands that a growing population put on County Budgets <br />and would not be requesting these items if I didn't feel they were <br />absolutely necessary for the efficient operations of the Court <br />System. I would like to point out to you that the use of <br />electronic recording over Court Reporters is saving the Counties <br />approximately $500,000.00 a year and in addition the Courts <br />Guardian Ad Litem Program provides volunteer Guardians instead of <br />County paid private Attorneys to represent abused children. This <br />program alone saved approximately $1,500,000.00 dollars in 1992. <br />In 1993 three hundred and fifty six (356) cases were assigned. The <br />average number of hours a volunteer spends is eighty (80) hours per <br />case. The appointment of an Attorney at a minimum fee of $50.00 an <br />hour would have cost $1,424,000.00. The proposed Court <br />Program. <br />It is my intention to appear before both the Court <br />Administration Budget committee and each County Commission in order <br />to emphasize the necessity of the Counties funding these budget <br />requests. I also wish to discuss"the need to have the Chief Judge <br />consulted whenever Court Facilities Funds are to be spent. At the <br />present time the Court has no input over use of this money yet the <br />fund is financed through a filing fee. <br />Sincerely, <br />L.B. Vocelle <br />Chief Judge <br />Judge Charles Smith explained the family mediation procedures <br />stressing the savings derived from using volunteer mediators. <br />Judge Vocelle presented the Court Facilities Fund balance as <br />of 1/1/93: <br />17 <br />MAY 2 4 ,199,E �oor 92 482 <br />