Public defender budget reviewed; committee notes rising forensic costs

The finance committee reviewed the public defender's budget lines, including a modest increase in trial expenses intended to cover expert fees and forensic evaluations.

Committee members noted that psychiatric and forensic analyses for defendants have been increasing in frequency and cost. Finance staff said the public defender's office planned a $5,000 increase in trial expense but that the public defender elected to be conservative on the request in committee review.

Staff also noted payroll issues: the public defender's payroll negotiations could affect budgeted amounts, and the county is reimbursed by the state for a portion of the public defender salary (finance staff cited reimbursement at two-thirds). Committee members asked the public defender and staff to monitor forensic evaluation usage and to return with updated projections if costs continue to rise.

No formal action was taken on the item in this meeting; the committee directed staff and the public defender to continue monitoring expenses and to report any needed adjustments.