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Indiana Supreme Court grant replaces DOC pretrial funding; council moves positions into grant budget
Summary
After state‑level funding changes left local pretrial programs without Department of Correction support, the Indiana Supreme Court provided grant funds. The council moved previously general‑funded pretrial positions into that grant for 2026.
The Monroe County Council adjusted the 2026 budget to reflect a new state‑level grant that replaces previously lost Department of Correction support for pretrial services. Councilors and staff said the funds come via direction to the Indiana Supreme Court and were allocated to counties to preserve pretrial programs for next year only.
Background and action: County staff reported the DOC had cut its pretrial grant funding and that the Indiana Supreme Court arranged a one‑time replacement allocation to keep pretrial services operating in 2026. The council approved moving several pretrial positions and associated employer payroll lines out of the general fund and into the new grant budget so the county is not left holding those costs in the absence of the DOC funding.
Why it matters: Pretrial services were described in the meeting as having systemwide benefits — helping manage courtroom schedules, supervising pretrial releases and reducing workload on courts and public safety systems. Councilors and staff described the grant as one‑time and said departments will need to plan for future years without guaranteed state support.
Details: Auditor staff presented a worksheet showing the reallocation of pretrial personnel lines and employer costs; council approved the amendment. Staff emphasized the award is a short‑term measure and that department heads must plan operations accordingly.
Next steps: The auditor and probation department will reconcile the grant setup and payroll coding to ensure the positions are funded in 2026; the council will monitor state funding and review for 2027 budget planning.
Ending note: Councilors thanked probation staff and the Indiana Supreme Court for the interim funding that preserved pretrial services for the coming year.
