Connecticut’s mending probate court system is on course to save about $4 million in the next two fiscal years with half the number of courts and tightened expenses on the rest, a report to lawmakers says.
The  Probate Court Budget Committee submitted its report containing the projected savings Wednesday to the Legislature as part of sweeping changes to the probate system adopted in 2009.
Without the changes, the ailing probate system that has run a deficit since 2005 and was projected to become insolvent in the current fiscal year that ends Wednesday.
“Our financial condition has stabilized and we are making steady progress in our efforts to cut costs,” said Judge Paul J. Knierim, who serves as probate court administrator and chairs the budget committee. “We have reduced our projected deficit for the current year by two-thirds.”
Knierim said the administrator’s office will finish the 2010-11 fiscal year $703,000 under budget. About half of the savings are from salary freezes, furlough days and staff reductions.
The projected $3.6 million deficit for fiscal 2009-2010 has been cut to $820,000, he said.
Changes to the the probate system call for consolidating from 117 into 54 courts. The legislation centralizes the financial operations of the courts to improve efficiency and tighten spending controls.
The newly formed Probate Court Budget Committee has adopted a statewide a uniform compensation and benefits plan for court employees. The budget committee also sets staffing levels and office budgets for each court.Â
