District Court fund balance has slight dip

The 27th Judicial District Court spent about $12,000 more than it received in 2012, leaving it a year-end fund balance of $1.16 million.

A report filed Sept. 16 by the Legislative Auditor’s Office noted no accounting issues in the court’s annual audit.

The court’s fund balance on Dec. 31, 2012 consisted of $369,659 cash and $738,533 (cost value) in investments.

Of that fund balance, about $666,000 was uncommitted or unassigned to court obligations, according to the report. That’s about $59,000 lower than a year earlier.

The General Fund revenues for 2012 were $388,000, essentially the same as the previous year, but expenses were $84,000 more, reflecting capital outlay purchasing.

The Hearing Officer Fund (child support services) showed revenues of $292,500, up about $35,000 and expenses of $204,000, about $14,000 over the previous year.

The Drug Court revenues totaled $320,000, about $16,000 less than a year earlier, and expenses were $335,000, about $24,000 over the previous year.

Wages remain the largest single expense.

Judicial costs in 2012 were $119,000 ($125,000 a year earlier).

Hearing Officer Fund wage expense was $147,000, the same as the previous year.

Drug court wages were $196,000, compared to $198,000 in the previous audit.

Judges salaries are not paid by the district court fund.