Elizabeth trustees plan competitive search for municipal judge services
Staff will develop a request for proposals and interview applicants, while current Municipal Judge White remains eligible and no replacement has been chosen.
Elizabeth trustees agreed Sept. 8 to have staff develop a competitive process for municipal judge services. Current Municipal Judge White remains eligible to apply, and the town has not chosen a replacement.
During the Board of Trustees meeting, Interim Town Administrator Chris Lowe said staff would prepare and advertise a request for proposals, interview applicants and bring the matter back to trustees for a decision. He said staff would send the proposal to trustees before publishing it and aimed to advertise the opportunity in September.
Lowe said the review was intended as a market check, not a criticism of White’s performance. He said the town wanted to select “the most qualified person that’s still interested in the position” and confirm that the municipal judge shares the board’s values.
A Sept. 3 memorandum from Lowe said staff had no recommendation on whether to retain White or seek competing applicants and that White would be welcome to participate in any reappointment process. Lowe said he would contact White to explain the review and the trustees’ desire to include him.
Lowe said backup judges are available when White cannot serve. Staff must now prepare the solicitation and selection process before returning to trustees for a decision.