The Iron County Commission convened on October 28, 2024, to discuss various pressing issues affecting the county, including staffing updates, caseload statistics, and community outreach efforts.

County Attorney Chad provided an update on staffing within his office, noting the recent hiring of Dallin Brooks, who passed the bar in July. However, the office will face a vacancy with the departure of attorney David Hill on November 8. Chad highlighted a significant increase in the office's caseload, reporting a 22% rise from 2022 and a 13% increase from 2023. He emphasized that this trend reflects the county's growth and the corresponding rise in criminal activity. Additionally, he expressed concern over the increasing workload of the sole victim advocate, who has been managing a growing number of cases alone for over 14 years.

Wendy from the Children's Justice Center (CJC) reported on the center's activities, including a successful ribbon-cutting event that attracted over 1,100 visitors. She emphasized the importance of community awareness regarding the center's services, which aim to support child victims of abuse. Wendy shared statistics on victimization cases, noting a variety of issues, including child physical abuse and domestic violence. She praised her staff for their dedication and highlighted the collaborative efforts that made the recent events successful.

Laurie from the justice court reported on the court's budget and staffing situation, confirming that all vacancies have been filled. She noted an uptick in DUI and assault cases while domestic violence cases have decreased. Laurie also mentioned a slowdown in the proposed justice court task reform, which was deemed too costly to implement.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the victim advocacy program, which has seen an increase in clients, particularly in domestic violence and stalking cases. The program has utilized emergency funds to assist victims in immediate need, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by crime in the community.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to addressing the growing demands on its legal and support services while fostering community engagement and awareness. The commission plans to continue monitoring these issues and will reconvene to discuss further developments.