Public Safety Committee approves hiring for district attorneys office, adds two short-term attorney slots

The Public Safety Committee voted Aug. 6 to approve filling one open assistant district attorney position and to create-and-fill two short-term transitional assistant district attorney positions to cover anticipated staff departures. The positions were presented by District Attorney Ian Jones, who told the committee the office has candidates ready to start and that the transitional hires are intended to overlap with two planned separations later this year. Committee members asked whether the hires were budgeted; Jones and others said the office has worked with county administration and expects the positions to fit within the year—s budget. Members emphasized the hires were temporary overlaps to maintain continuity as two ADAs depart over the coming months. The committee approved the request by voice vote after a brief discussion. The agenda form cited a sunset date of 01/01/1926 for the temporary positions, but the district attorney told the panel the appointments would end much sooner and are meant to be short-term. Committee Chair Steve Havey opened the item and took the motion; the vote was recorded by voice as carried.