Council appoints Gina Thompson as associate municipal court judge; she is sworn in

The council considered the appointment of Gina Thompson to fill one associate municipal court judge position. City staff said a committee including the mayor pro tem and city manager interviewed candidates and recommended bringing on one associate judge at this time. "We have made a choice to bring on just 1 right now, and we had a very qualified person and that is Gina Thompson," staff said.

During discussion council members asked about the role. The presiding municipal judge explained that the associate judge will act as backup, perform magistrations at the jail, respond to calls (including potential night calls), and will train under the presiding judge and court administrator. Thompson was administered the oath of office on the record: "I, Gina Thompson... do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Miss Bay City Municipal Court associate judge," after which council welcomed her and noted her early on-call responsibilities.

Council voted to approve the appointment and searing-in occurred at the dais; the mayor and staff noted Thompson's first anticipated call could be overnight as part of magistrate duties.