Fort Bend County to cut 3 associate judge positions in 2027

Fort Bend County is set to reduce the number of associate judges in 2027. According to a report from the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, the county will eliminate three associate judge positions in 2027. [1]

The decision was made in response to a decrease in the number of cases filed in the county. The county's population has grown, but the number of cases has not kept pace, leading to a decrease in the number of cases filed per judge.

The county's budget for the 2023 fiscal year is $1.2 billion, with a significant portion allocated to the county's court system. The elimination of the three associate judge positions is expected to save the county around $1.5 million annually.

The decision to cut the associate judge positions has been met with mixed reactions from the community. Some have expressed concern about the impact on the county's court system, while others have praised the move as a cost-saving measure.

The changes are set to take effect in 2027, giving the county time to adjust to the new structure. The county's court system will continue to operate with the reduced number of associate judges until then.