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Council creates victim advocate position in prosecutor's office with grant support
Summary
Council approved an ordinance creating a victim advocate position (salary $65,000) to replace a contracted position after Lucas County contract expires; the position is initially funded by a $30,000 VAWA grant with the remainder of pay to be addressed in future budgets and potential municipality contributions.
Council on Sept. 15 approved an ordinance establishing a victim advocate position in the city prosecutor's office, setting the salary at $65,000 annually with an effective start date of Oct. 1, 2025.
Council member Miss Browning explained the position follows a successful grant application to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Violence Against Women Act fund. The city received notice of $30,000 in grant funding; roughly $10,000 was already spent on a video, leaving about $20,000 available in year one. The Lucas County contract for the incumbent expires Sept. 30, and the ordinance transitions the role into a city position with a $65,000 salary. Council acknowledged the ordinance is an emergency measure and the new hire would not be eligible for a January raise; future raises subject to the city's personnel rules.
Council discussed whether other municipalities served by the court could share costs; staff said some townships may contribute in proportion to caseload but that, absent a legislative fix, the city remains responsible for the prosecutor's office budget.
Outcome: ordinance passed as an emergency measure to allow the position to be created Oct. 1. Council expects to address long‑term funding arrangements through budget discussions and intergovernmental billing where applicable.
