The Plano City Council voted 6-2 on Monday to reappoint eight judges to the Plano Municipal Court.
During discussion, council members debated whether the judges should serve two-year or four-year terms, but ultimately decided on leaving the terms at four years. Council members Maria Tu and Shelby Williams cast the “no” votes.
The council’s action included the appointment of three full-time judges. Their position, name, length of service and salary with the city, respectively, are as follows:
- Chief Municipal Judge: Donald J. Stevenson, 23 years, $76.70 per hour
- Senior associate judge: James Michael McCarthy, 24 years, $63.93 per hour
- Senior associate judge: Paul F. McNulty, 12 years, $63.93 per hour
The remaining judges and their respective years of service are as follows. The following judges serve on a contract basis:
- Senior associate judge: Cathy D. Haden, 23 years
- Associate judge: Gwen A. Baumann, 22 years.
- Associate judge: Efren Ordoñez, 20 years
- Associate judge: Aaron S. Kaufman, 19 years
- Associate judge: Esther A. Grossman, 3 years
Stevenson, who participated in the council’s teleconference meeting, said he saw no benefit to the city in reducing the terms. If a judge retires or leaves, the longer terms would be more attractive to attorneys who would consider leaving their private practice or a position with a law firm to serve with the court, he said.
In responding to a question about involuntary dismissals, Stevenson said that judges who are contractors could simply be taken off of the docket schedule. Full time judges would have to go through a process similar to other city full-time employees, he added.
Tu said she is grateful for the stability and consistency provided by all of the judges and she respects them.
“I also believe that to maintain consistency we need to explore means to incorporate and involve those who might be less experienced,”Tu said.
She suggested that some of the more experienced judges could mentor others, similar to the mayor’s internship program. That way, if there is turnover for any reason, others would be ready to step in, Tu said.
Williams asked city attorney Paige Mims if the board could do initial four-year terms for the judges and then subsequent two-year terms. Mims replied that as written, the city ordinance would probably not allow that option.
