PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Unified Judicial System in South Dakota has about 500 employees and a budget of about $60 million.

The incoming Chief Justice, Steven Jensen, says those people are their most important resource and have been called on to do more in the past few years.

Jensen says they need to stay competitive to hang on to good employees.

State government revenues are under pressure due to the pandemic. Jensen says they hope to hang on to what they have.

Jensen will begin his duties in January when current Chief Justice David Gilbertson retires.