Mercer County's president judge is making a case for a fourth Common Pleas Court judge and courtroom.

Over the next week, county officials plan to discuss the proposal with an architect, the county's four state lawmakers and the county bar association, according to President Judge Francis J. Fornelli.

Fornelli is leading the county's effort for another judge and courtroom.

"The timing is right," Fornelli said.

Not only have county judges wrangled with heavy caseloads for years, the construction of a new courtroom could possibly be worked into the ongoing courthouse renovation, Fornelli said.

Most outside renovations of the courthouse are finished, while inside renovations are slated to start this year.

Money for courthouse renovations is coming from a $34 million bond issue, which also was earmarked for the purchase of touch-screen voting machines and the planned construction of a new county jail and purchase of two new district justice offices.

If the architect can rework the renovation plans and county commissioners approve them, the matter would go to the state Legislature.

The county's delegation of state lawmakers -- Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins and Reps. Michael C. Gruitza, Rod Wilt and Dick Stevenson -- could make the county's case in Harrisburg. Both the state Senate and House must approve the move, because the state pays common pleas judges' salaries. County judges currently make about $117,000.

The county received a third judge two decades ago. The Legislature voted in favor of the addition in 1980, Fornelli was elected to the seat in 1981 and he began serving in January 1982. Courtroom 3, where Judge Thomas R. Dobson currently presides, opened several years later.

Since Mercer County received a third judge, neighboring Lawrence County has received two additional ones. It has one more judge than Mercer County, but 26,000 fewer people.

The need for another judge goes beyond head counts, Fornelli said. Fornelli said statistical data he has gathered informally since last fall indicates county courts could run more effectively with another judge.

Mercer County Chairman Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman said Fornelli has made a strong case. "The information that he has put forth certainly supports the argument that we need a fourth judge," he said.