An audit estimates the state could save nearly $6.2 million if it consolidated its 31 judicial districts to 13 districts, a move that would lump Douglas County in with six other counties to the south.

The report from the Legislative Division of Post Audit released this week also considers consolidating to only seven judicial districts, which would combine Douglas County with 10 other counties throughout Northeast Kansas. That would save the state $8.1 million, the report says.

According to the audit, the consolidation could eliminate several judges and more than 100 full-time staff positions. The primary savings is based on the assumption that the state would eliminate its one-judge-per-county rule and substitute magistrate judges for district judges in some districts.

But some in the state’s judicial community say the audit needs a closer look.

“There are lots of ways to make (the judicial system) more efficient,” said Chief Douglas County Judge Robert Fairchild. “I’m not sure this kind of consolidation makes a lot of sense.”

Fairchild said the recommended consolidation would be an administrative “nightmare,” because a single judge would have to deal with multiple county commissions regarding budget issues. He said the plan also brings travel problems, as judges would be required to travel multiple hours to other counties in the judicial district to hear cases.

The audit recommended a committee be appointed to study the one-judge-per-county rule, redrawing judicial districts and equalizing caseloads, an idea Fairchild said he’s been pushing for even before the audit.

“The judicial system could benefit from a good looking-at by people who have expertise in this area and there are undoubtedly things we could do that would make better use of our money,” he said.