By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Two more employees at the Mason Municipal Court will be receiving medical benefits through the city.

City Council approved giving medical benefits to the chief probation officer and chief bailiff at its meeting Monday night. The city budgets an average cost of $7,000 per employee for family coverage, said Eric Hansen, assistant city manager.

The compensation changes are part of a series of court staffing changes discussed this year. In January, council approved six additional positions - two deputy clerks, a chief probation officer, a deputy probation officer, a bailiff and a chief magistrate.

In June, council approved salary increases for the chief bailiff and a deputy clerk. Council then defeated a staff change ordinance in September that would have added a deputy clerk/probation assistant.

"Last night's changes were relatively minor," Mr. Hansen said. "In September, the net impact would have been one additional position."

The court employees are not city employees, but are on city payroll, Mr. Hansen said. State law says the city must authorize all the salaries.

Some court employees, including the clerk of court and chief bailiff, also get part of their salary through the county.

Council considers staffing and compensation changes when they are requested by Mason Municipal Court Judge George Parker, who has been on the bench since January.

"None of these had been planned on," Mr. Hansen said. "We've been reacting to orders that have been received by the judge."

Mason Municipal Court hears misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, initial hearings for felony offenders and some civil complaints.

Council members Peter Beck and Victor Kidd were not present at Monday's meeting.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com