Probate Court Judge Presents FY2015-FY2016 Budgets

Probate Court Judge Christine Chandler presents her FY2015-FY2016 budgets and laughs together with Budget and Grants Manager Gina Torpy and Deputy County Administrator/CFO Steven Lynne as she said her budget is likely the smallest in the County to which Council Chair Geoff Rodgers joked, ‘And tonight it will be cut in half.’ Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Probate Court Judge Christine Chandler presented her FY2015-FY2016 budgets to County Council this evening in Council Chambers.

The Probate Court Adopted Budget for 2014 is $5,747 and Chandler was able to tighten up her department for FY2015 to a proposed budget of $5,635 and a projected budget in FY2016 of $5,970.

Chandler said the significant changes and impacts to her department over the last several months include:

  • Establishing regular office hours/days to meet with clients, which is Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 p.m. or by appointment.
  • Developing a separate Los Alamos County website for Probate Court. This provides a clear picture of probate court as an elected office, explains jurisdiction, provides basic guidance and offers a brief overview of services to the public with links to the NM Supreme Court and approved forms including a Probate Guide and Wedding planning form.

Chandler said one of the best parts of her job is performing weddings. Since her August 2013 appointment as probate judge, Chandler has performed 12 marriage ceremonies and opened 12 probate cases.

Council began hearing proposed and projected budgets Monday night and will continue tonight, next Monday at 7 p.m. and possibly Tuesday at 7 p.m. – all in Council Chambers. The hearings are open to the public.

Council will approve the FY2015-FY2016 County Budgets, once it has heard from all departments and worked out any necessary modifications.

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