In a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical funding requests for the Public Defender's Association, focusing on the need for additional attorneys and salary increases to ensure pay parity with the prosecutor's office. The conversation highlighted the county's growth and the necessity of expanding legal resources to meet increasing demands.

Commissioner Sackovich advocated for a higher funding tier, proposing the addition of four new attorneys and one social worker, alongside a step increase and cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This proposal aims to address the growing caseload and maintain competitive salaries for public defenders.

Commissioner Gardner expressed concerns about the request for retroactive salary increases, emphasizing that such practices are not extended to county employees. Instead, he suggested a parity study to align future salary increases with those given to county employees, proposing a 4% increase for the current year.

The urgency of the matter was underscored by the impending expiration of the current funding contract, set to lapse in just four days. Officials agreed on the necessity of a timely vote to secure funding and ensure continued legal representation for those in need.

As discussions progressed, a consensus began to form around the proposal for four new attorneys and a social worker, along with the 4% salary increase, reflecting a commitment to enhancing public defense resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The meeting concluded with a call for further analysis to finalize the funding details before the contract deadline.