Terre Haute, In. – An order to Mandate Funds was presented to the Vigo County Council Monday mandating that funds be approved for higher compensation for court employees.  The mandate was submitted by the six superior court judges and states that court employees are underpaid relative to other counties with a lower volume of work. The judges had sent a letter to the council on September 25, asking for the increase. The judges say the council did not respond. Another letter was sent on October 3, setting a deadline of 4 p.m. on October 18. The judges had previously met with the council to demonstrate the need for higher wages, but the council failed to agree to the requests. Now, the judges say they find the increased compensation should be implemented immediately and applied retroactively to January 1, 2024. The judges say the discussion of Court salaries and the Court’s authority to establish salaries has been ongoing since 2016,” They also say they are eager to have the matter resolved and want to acknowledge the many partners in county government who are working hard for the people we all serve.