Merger of Tiffin-Fostoria municipal courts now law

6/29/2013

COLUMBUS — The merger of the Tiffin and Fostoria municipal courts into one on Jan. 1 has been set in motion with the signature of Gov. John Kasich.

Rep. Rex Damschroder (R., Fremont), the sponsor of the merger bill, and several local officials were on hand when Mr. Kasich signed it into law on Thursday.

Tiffin Municipal Judge Mark Repp has presided over both courts since the death of Fostoria’s judge last year. The bill requires that a Fostoria branch remain open with the judge of the new Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court required to sit on the Fostoria bench on a weekly basis.

An election will be held in November to select a permanent judge to preside over the new court.

Both cities and the state are expected to benefit financially from the merger. Tiffin will benefit as fines and fees remain in the city. Fostoria and the state are expected to benefit from savings related to staffing and other court operating costs.