DEARBORN — Dearborn City Council voted on April 16 to erase the 19th District Court’s $355,812 deficit for this fiscal year that ends June 30, by shifting $271,906 in line items and eliminating the other $83,906 of deficit.

The court likely won’t need the full $271,906, city officials have said, because its revenue has been increasing through more fines being levied. 19th District Court Chief Judge Sam Salamey and Court Administrator Sharon Langen told the Council that shortfalls existed in employee health insurance, witness fees, office supplies, operating supplies and other forms of health insurance matters.  Salamey, who was elected into office last November, beating incumbent Chief Judge Richard Wygonik, has been head of the Court since January. The State Supreme Court tapped Salamey as the new Chief Judge, bypassing other current sitting Judges William Hultgren and Mark Somers.

19th District Court.

Also addressed by City Council was the current pending lawsuit involving Judge Mark Somers. Salamey requested $5,000 to pay Robert Harrison & Associates for legal representation in the suit, which was filed by former court administrator Julie Hultgren, who is now married to Judge Hultgren. 

Julie Hultgren alleged that Somers, during his tenure as Chief Judge, violated her due process rights when he eliminated her position in 2006 as part of a court reorganization plan. She and William Hultgren were engaged at the time.

Both Salamey and Langen said they have been looking into unique ways to save revenue for the court, including using new software systems and enforcing rules that all judges must better clarify where fines are being paid to, so that those paying them are aware that not all monies go to the 19th District Court.