Duluth judges to receive small pay bump

The Duluth City Council recently approved amendments to conform the City’s Code of Ordinances to the provisions of House Bill 691, which became effective on July 1, making the chief judge appointment a one-year term.

The amendment also approves a modest increase in compensation for the associate judges of the Duluth Municipal Court, and creates a method of compensation for the associate judges similar to other cities in Gwinnett County.

All associate judges will now bill their services to the city at the rate of $400 per any court session of at least one hour duration. All other court sessions and judicial duties will be billed at a uniform hourly rate of $125 per hour with a minimum of one-half hour. The associate judge will not bill routine telephone inquiries by the clerk’s office to an associate judge, or brief telephone calls.