Limestone County prosecutor warns office faces shortfall, asks commission for staffing funds

Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones told the Limestone County Commission on Aug. 4 that the office will begin the next fiscal year roughly $423,343.14 short of what he says is needed to operate. Jones said the Legislature will allocate $561,654 to his office for the upcoming fiscal year and that current funding covers only about half of the office's needs. "So this upcoming fiscal year, I'm gonna receive $561,654 to run a multimillion dollar operation," Jones said. "As of this morning, I'm $423,343.14 short. That's when I start the beginning of fiscal year." Jones asked the commission to include his request in the county budget for the coming year. He said he has asked locally for $400,000 to hire two victim service officers and to hire two additional assistant district attorneys to handle rising caseloads. Why it matters: Jones warned the shortfall threatens the office's ability to handle an increased number of cases and could leave prosecutors and support staff unable to compete with private-sector salaries. "I'm really worried about a shutdown because of the fact that I'm not competitive in my salaries," he said, adding that younger attorneys he interviewed declined offers and took higher-paying positions elsewhere. Details and context: Jones told commissioners that, at current staffing levels, his office has about one prosecutor per 27,000 county residents and that new deputies and an additional judge will increase caseloads for prosecutors. He said the office currently employs three full-time lawyers and one part-time lawyer who is near retirement. Jones said he took almost a 60% pay cut to accept the job and that some staff work seven days a week to serve county residents. Discussion versus action: The request was presented during the public comment portion of the Aug. 4 work session. Commissioners acknowledged the comment but did not take a formal vote during the session. The item will be considered as part of the upcoming county budget process. Funding and related references: Jones characterized his office as a state-funded agency and contrasted the Legislature's funding choices, referencing a $4,000,000 legislative appropriation to Athens State College that he said demoralized his staff. He identified the Legislature as the source of the office's base funding but did not cite a specific statute. Ending: Commissioners did not make an immediate decision during the work session; Jones's request will be part of the county's budget discussions before any appropriation is made.