In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the transition of a pivotal prosecutor, Ms. Reed, from a full-time role to a part-time contract position, effective October 1. Ms. Reed has been handling sensitive sexual assault and domestic violence cases, with several trials currently scheduled. Her departure raises concerns about the continuity of these critical cases, as she has established significant relationships with the victims involved.

The discussion highlighted the financial implications of this transition. While Ms. Reed will be compensated at a rate equivalent to her full-time salary, minus benefits, some officials expressed concern over the fairness of paying a part-time employee a full-time salary. The calculations indicated that the county would save approximately $600 a month by not providing benefits, but questions arose regarding the expected workload and hours for the part-time role.

Officials noted that Ms. Reed's part-time hours would fluctuate based on her caseload, with an expectation of at least 20 hours per week. However, the debate centered on whether this arrangement would adequately address the needs of the prosecutor's office, which is already facing challenges due to a hiring freeze and the necessity of maintaining a third prosecutor position for effective operations.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for urgent recruitment efforts to fill the full-time position, as the current staffing levels are deemed insufficient to manage the caseload effectively. The budget for the third prosecutor position remains allocated for the upcoming year, but the timeline for hiring remains uncertain amid ongoing budget discussions.