Batesville, IN — The Batesville City Court will continue operations beyond December 31, 2023.
City Council on Monday night voted 2-2 on an ordinance to abolish the city court. The deadlock means the motion failed, and the city judge position currently held by John Kellerman will be on the ballot for voters to consider in the November 2023 municipal elections.
The vote comes after months of discussions and public opinions voiced privately and in public at city council meetings.
Council took public comments from both sides of the issue before the vote.
Councilman Darrick Cox used a PowerPoint presentation to outline his opposition to keeping the court (pictured). He cited a number of reasons, such as expenses, lack of public awareness of the service, and the number of city and town courts that have been eliminated over the past 20 years.
Also speaking in favor of abolishment was former City Judge Kristen Weiler, who said the expense of operating the court is not warranted.
Councilman Bill Flannery read several letters from local business owners and landlords who say the court is necessary. One landlord wrote they would have to make multiple trips to courtrooms in Versailles and Brookville to recoup delinquent rent payments if the Batesville City Court is eliminated, thus creating an inconvenience.
Others speaking in favor of keeping the court included Judge Kellerman, Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt, and Batesville Economic Development Commission member Amy Streator.
Cox and Jim Fritsch voted to eliminate the court, while Flannery and Tracy Rohlfing voted to keep it.
The deciding vote would have come down to Council President John Irrgang, who was not present at Monday night’s meeting.
The next time council could revisit the issue would be the year before the 2027 city elections.
The City Court was established in 1971 with the adoption of Chapter 37 in the Batesville City Code.
