MAHONING COUNTY Fees for divorce motions to rise

The judge said this is the first fee increase in more than five years.
YOUNGSTOWN -- It's going to cost you more money to file for divorce in Mahoning County, a result of the county's ongoing budget woes, says Judge Beth A. Smith of Domestic Relations Court.
Beginning Friday, the court is increasing filing fees for divorces, dissolutions, legal separation, annulments, counterclaims, cross-claims for divorce and post-divorce motions. The divorce and dissolution fees will go from either $160 or $180 to $250.
The judge approved a journal entry last week increasing the fees.
"The court is increasing filing fees ... to offset budget cuts recently imposed by the Mahoning County Commissioners," Judge Smith said in a press release.
She said this is the first fee increase in more than five years and was essential to keep the court "from falling below already low staffing levels and to provide a safety net against future budget pressures."
Budget request
The domestic relations court requested $787,116 for this year, but received $746,000, a cut of $41,116. Judge Smith said in her seven years on the bench, she has tried to work with the commissioners to control costs in all areas.
She said, however, that the amount cut, if not offset by the filing fee increase, would prevent the domestic relations court from meeting its statutory responsibilities to children, families and victims of domestic violence.
The release said the judge determined the fee increase amount by surveying fees being charged by other domestic relations courts around the state.
A portion of the fee increase will go to the court's special project fund, originally called a dispute resolution fund. The court established the fund in 1998 to provide a source of nongeneral-fund revenue for alternative dispute resolution programs such as mediation.
The fund has expanded to be used for a variety of other court projects, functions and services without tapping into the general fund, Judge Smith said.
She said she recognizes the county's financial pressures and will continue to work closely with commissioners', clerk of courts and the Department of Job and Family Services, "to maximize revenues for the general fund whenever possible."
Judge Smith's action is the latest taken by elected officials who are trying to determine how best to maintain the services their offices provide with less revenue.
County Recorder Ron Gerberry cut staff and reduced operating hours. Commissioners and the sheriff laid off personnel. Treasurer John Reardon ended a pre-pay real estate tax program and is expected to make an announcement on his staffing and office operation in the next few days.
Two other offices -- the clerk of courts and the board of elections -- are contemplating suing the commissioners to get more money.
County court judges also are exploring ways to offset their budget shortfalls, said Judge Joseph Houser of the county court in Boardman.
The cause
The cutbacks are caused by the loss of the half-percent sales tax, which expired at the end of 2004. Voters twice rejected efforts to renew the tax last year. The tax generated between $12 million and $14 million.
With that revenue gone, commissioners were certified only to spend $39.9 million for general fund departments this year. Budget requests came in, however, at $53.9 million.
Commissioners made the full-year appropriation in February, and also agreed to put the half-percent sales tax for five years back on the ballot at the May 3 primary election.