Superior Court reports supplemental ARPA award and asks for budget transfers to use funds

Jason Stevenson, court administrator, told the commission that Superior Court received a supplemental American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award administered through the Georgia Judicial Council that must be expended between June 1 and Sept. 30 and used for previously approved categories (juror expenses, court reporter transcripts, interpreters, and payroll). Stevenson asked the board to authorize budget transfers so the court can allocate the supplemental funds to identified needs, including up to $10,500 proposed to be moved to the capital/new building budget, transferring personnel costs for two probation officers so they remain funded through the end of the calendar year, and funding a temporary part‑time administrative assistant for the new building’s front desk through year’s end.

Stevenson said the funds are constrained to the approved categories and that the court would return in future budget cycles if it seeks to convert temporary positions to permanent roles.

What’s next: commissioners asked whether temporary staffing would become permanent; Stevenson said any permanent staffing request would be part of the 2027 budget process. No formal vote occurred during the work session.

Sources: presentation by Jason Stevenson during the June 4 work session.