Winnebago County board raises public defender pay, approves budget amendment

The Winnebago County Board on July 24 approved a resolution to increase the county public defender’s salary and passed a related budget amendment to provide funding.

Mr. Butita, presenting the finance committee items, moved the resolution and said, “This is just to get the, public defender salary in line with state statute.” The board approved the resolution by voice vote, with members directed to “cast yes for all members present.”

Following the resolution, the board considered an ordinance amending the budget to add funding for the public defender. Members suspended the rules and voted to adopt the budget amendment; the chair called for members to “cast yes for all members present.”

Why it matters: The increases are intended to align county compensation for the public defender with applicable state statute as stated by the committee presenter. The board approved both the authorization and the budget amendment in the same meeting.

Details: The resolution and the budget amendment were presented as linked items by the finance committee; the board voted to suspend the rules and approve the budget amendment at the July 24 meeting.

Next steps: County administration will implement the salary adjustment in payroll according to ordinance and budget amendment procedures; no additional public hearing was recorded in the transcript.