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County considers new court coordinator and braces for higher public‑defense and pretrial costs

5592020 · July 28, 2025
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Summary

Commissioners reviewed a proposed county court coordinator position and flagged sharp increases in indigent defense and pretrial services spending tied to case volume and an ongoing capital‑murder trial.

Commissioners reviewed a proposal to fund a new county court coordinator position and raised questions about sharp year‑over‑year increases in court‑related costs, including court‑appointed attorneys and pretrial services.

The proposed budget includes a new county court coordinator position and a sizable increase in court and indigent‑defense line items. Staff and commissioners noted a specific ongoing capital‑murder case that could push expenses into the next fiscal year. One judge told commissioners he believed he could manage the court’s workload within the proposed allocation but acknowledged the case could cause higher expenditures.

Commissioners pressed for more vetting of the large increases. A notable item in the draft is a roughly $145,000 increase in independent defense and pretrial services line items; commissioners asked staff for context on caseload drivers that produced the jump. Staff said court‑appointed attorney costs often rise when case filings and trial activity increase and that prior year run rates inform budget estimates.

No final decision was made. Commissioners asked staff to provide additional documentation and justification for the court‑related increases before the budget is finalized and to return with details on the proposed court coordinator position funding source and duties.