Municipal judge office could be budget casualty

The future of the office of municipal judge in Seneca could be endangered during the city’s next budget.  Greg Dietterick, city administratior, announced at last night’s budget work meeting that two factors are driving him to consider recommending the dissolution of the office, headed by Judge Danny Singleton.  One is a new state requirement that municipalities begin funding costs for indigent defendants; the other, is years of financial losses in the office.  Over a five-year period, Dietterick said, the losses range from $70 to $114 thousand a year.  In place of a city-funded judge’s office and court, Dietterick is considering an inter-government agreement with Oconee County for the local magistrate, Todd Simmons, to assume handling of cases made by the city’s police officers.  Dietterick said he has already spoken to County Administrator Scott Moulder and is encouraged by the possibilities.