b'Magistrate CourtMission StatementThe Beaufort Magistrate Court is committed to providing a judicious resolution of civil and criminal matters within its jurisdiction withservice that is fair, impartial, and accessible with a safe and courteous environment that will enrich public trust within the community andour courts.Goals and Objectives1. Continue to implement standardized oce procedures and practices and ensuring compliance with the SC Chief Justices Orders.2. Continue programs that eciently process cases in a timely manner.3. Resume o-site training for sta previously suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.4. Update old and obsolete audio-visual equipment in Bluton Magistrate and Bond Court.Department DescriptionThe Magistrate Court of Beaufort is a centralized court system with oces located on both North and South sides of the Broad (Beaufortand Bluton) and at the Detention Center.The Magistrate Court services are limited to its jurisdiction of the following (see SC Code of Laws: Civil Section 22-3-10 and CriminalSection 22-3-540):a. Civil (not to exceed &$7500) = Summons and Complaints; Evictions, Claim & Delivery and Public Sale and Restraining Orders.b. Criminal (30 days imprisonment or less and nes not exceeding $500 or both) = set bonds, hear trac & animal cases, issue warrants,hear cases transferred from General Sessions for penalties not exceeding 1 year.c. Jury TrialsEmployees: Full Time = 28 (to include Judges) and Part Time = 2 (Part time =30 hours)Internal Customers: Beaufort County Detention Center; Beaufort County Sheris Department, SC Department of Natural Resources, SCHighway Patrol, Codes Enforcement, Animal Services, DHEC, SLED, FBI, Plantation Security and Hunting Island State Park, BailBondsmen.External Customers: Attorneys, Pro Se Litigants (a party without an attorney), Defendants, the public/community (providing informationand/or guidance for those seeking services and for those that observe the legal process).Performance MeasuresIn 2022, the Magistrate Court handled 4,709 Bond Cases, over 1,304 Preliminary Hearings and over 17,017 Trac/Criminal and CivilCases for an overall 23,030 cases. With all cases having at least two parties, service was provided to more than 46,060 individuals. Thisrepresents a greater than 6% increase in the number of cases handled as well as the number of individuals served from the previous year.Budget Highlights and Special NotesThe proposed budget is $2,415,186.00. The budget includes a salary performance increase of up to 3% for sta. This budget does notinclude additional position(s) for a Judge(s) that may be appointed due to recent Census data (if applicable). Last, there is a $40,000.00line item for Minor Oce Furniture as it relates to updating the audio and visual equipment in Bluton Magistrate and Bond Court.Expenditures Summary$2,463,701 -$15,188(-0.61% vs. prior year)Beaufort County, SC | Budget Book 2024 Page 297'