DAPHNE, Alabama -  Municipal Judge Kenneth Hitson has asked the Daphne City Council to consider a personnel change in his department that would eliminate one of two magistrate positions. Duties from that position are expected to be split between the remaining magistrate and the court administrator, both of whom will receive a pay raise.

The administrator position currently pays $33,211 annually while the magistrate earns $29,566. The proposed ordinance calls for raises to $39,577 and $36,417 respectively. The ordinance claims the move will save the court $19,927 per year and Hitson told the Council that he expects it to also increase efficiency.

City Councilors appeared in favor of the change at their meeting Dec. 19, although it was requested that the ordinance be amended to remove some unnecessary language.

“Having a department head say they want to cut their budget doesn’t happen very often,” said Councilman John Lake. “This will put them in line with other cities from what I understand.”

In other business, the Council approved an official emergency operation plan, discussed the appropriation of funds for a video surveillance system at the cemetery next to the Old Methodist Church and Museum, and opened bids for resurfacing Main Street and extending Well Road two-tenths of a mile to County Road 13. The Council has rescheduled its meetings in January to Jan. 3 and Jan. 17 in observance of New Years and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.