Dunn County in the running again for a 3rd judge

By LeAnn R. Ralph

MENOMONIE  — Dunn County is second in the state for the need of an additional circuit court judge.

Calling it “a sudden opportunity,” Judge Rod Smeltzer spoke to the Dunn County Board at the July 26 meeting about obtaining the county board’s support for a third judge.

The state’s caseload study for counties was just released, and Dunn County is number two in the state for needing another judge, Judge Smeltzer said.

The Dunn County Board approved a resolution in 2014 in support of the state Legislature creating additional judgeships for those counties in need of another judge, he said.

Although the Dunn County Board approved a resolution in 2014 supporting a third judgeship, the state Legislature declined to create any more circuit court judge positions at that time.

The state is now asking judges to ask their county boards for another show of support, Judge Smeltzer said.

“There are no guarantees, but we’re in the game,” he said.

Three factors are considered when the Legislature is deciding whether to create more judgeships.

The first is judicial need, and with the caseload in Dunn County, a need definitely exists for another judge, Judge Smeltzer said.

The second is whether the county has room to accommodate another judge.

When the Dunn County Judicial Center was built 20 years ago, it was constructed with four courtrooms, so the county has the physical space available to add another judge, Judge Smeltzer said.

The third factor is whether the county board supports adding another judge in the county.

Voting in favor of the resolution on the agenda “in support of legislation creating additional judgeships and adding a third branch to the Dunn County Circuit Court” would indicate county board support for another judge, Judge Smeltzer said.

Judge Smeltzer addressed the county board during public comments at the beginning of the meeting.

The resolution came before the county board for consideration nearly three hours later at the end of a lengthy agenda.

One county board member wanted to know if a new judge in Dunn County would be appointed by the governor or whether a new judge would be elected.

After the circuit court branch is established, then a special election would be held to elect a third judge, said Nick Lange, Dunn County corporation counsel.

The Dunn County Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution supporting the creation of an additional judgeship and a third branch for Dunn County Circuit Court.

According to the resolution, the state of Wisconsin would pay the salary and benefits for the judge and his or her court reporter and also would provide the needed computers and printers.

Dunn County would provide any additional support necessary for a third judge.