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Potter County told it will inherit full cost of indigent defense office when TIDC match ends
Summary
The commissioners were briefed on the Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) office budget: the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) grant will stop matching at March 31, 2026, leaving Potter County responsible for the full MAC budget unless the grant is renewed.
Judge Ford, speaking for the Managed Assigned Counsel office, told the court the office's FY‑26 budget request is $625,206 and explained how the TIDC 50% matching grant phases out on March 31, 2026.
Why it matters: If the match ends as scheduled, Potter County would be responsible for the entire MAC budget beginning April 1, 2026. Officials said the county's net first‑six‑months exposure would be $156,302 (after TIDC match), rising to $468,905 for the full year without the grant match unless a renewal or other funding is secured.
Judge Ford said the year‑over‑year increase was primarily due to salaries: wage adjustments approved earlier and a staffing raise the previous director had initiated. He told commissioners the MAC requested an additional $2,000 for mileage and travel for education. He also offered to meet with commissioners in advance of final budget hearings to review the figures in detail and provided a copy of the spreadsheet to staff.
Discussion versus decision: The presentation was informational; commissioners did not take a final budget vote at this meeting. Judge Ford asked for a signature on a TIDC resolution and requested the court's continued awareness that the county would assume the full budget if the grant match ends in 2026.
Next steps: Judge Ford offered to meet with commissioners and staff before the final budget process to present line‑by‑line details and to supply supporting documents requested by the court.
Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the fiscal implications and said they expect a more detailed budget discussion later in the budget calendar.
