Juvenile court officials warn that cuts to contract counsel and staff would impede constitutionally required services
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Summary
Juvenile Court staff told the commission they face rising caseloads and said contract attorney and staffing requests not recommended in the mayor’s budget would force the court to either reduce services or return later for supplemental funds, because statutory obligations require appointment of counsel in many cases.
Juvenile Court administrators told the Athens‑Clarke County Commission on May 15 that rising, more serious caseloads for delinquency and dependency cases — including weapons and violent offenses — have increased pressure on budgets and staff and that several FY‑26 requests not included in the mayor’s recommended budget could materially affect operations.
Amanda (Mandy) Trumbullock, juvenile court representative, said dependency (abuse/neglect) cases and serious delinquency cases have become more complex, that 90% of families appearing in juvenile court are indigent, and that appointment of counsel in dependency matters is a county responsibility. She said the court requested an additional $107,600 for contract attorney costs (attorneys paid $77 per hour under the current arrangement) and that without those funds the county would still be required to appoint counsel but would need to come back later for supplemental funding.
Trumbullock also said the court’s senior staff attorney position and other administrative roles were previously supported by ARPA funds and other grants; those funds are winding down, and not funding the positions would force the court to either reduce services, reassign judicial workload or seek additional funds mid‑year. She said the court requested $118,300 to convert a contract senior attorney to a funded position and that not renewing or replacing grant support would create operational risk.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about statutory obligations for counsel, funding sources and how the court would cope if requests are not approved. Trumbullock said the court would seek direction from the commission but emphasized her statutory duty to provide counsel in many cases and the potential for increased costs later if funding is deferred.
The commission requested additional documentation and said staff would review the juvenile court’s budget priorities as part of the FY‑26 deliberations. No final decisions were made at the meeting.
