On a five-to-four vote, the Flint city council OK'd merging the city’s 68th District Court with Genesee County’s 67th District Court.
The council held a special meeting Monday to consider the court consolidation proposal.
Under the plan, the city’s 68th District Court will become a division within the county-wide 67th District Court.
Council President Josh Freeman says there are two reasons he supports the court merger.
“The $8.4 million it saves (the city of Flint) over ten years, and also the fact the judges remain being elected within the city of Flint.”
But other councilmen are concerned about how consolidating the courts will effect more than a dozen 68th District Court employees. They’ll have to apply for new jobs in the consolidated court.
Councilman Eric Mays was also worried about how the consolidation may effect jury pools hearing Flint cases in the future.
“I’m kind of appalled and disappointed because I don’t think the council did their due diligence,” says Mays.
