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Public defender outlines investigator, evidence‑storage needs and steady caseloads amid staffing pressures
Summary
The public defender and county legal defender described investigator and evidence‑storage needs, rising case complexity and staffing structure; the county manager recommended selective one‑time technology funding and a cautious approach to adding recurring FTEs.
Public defender Jennifer Stock and Legal Defender director Joe Carver briefed Coconino County supervisors May 7 on their offices’ budgets, staffing, and rising costs for digital evidence management and investigative support.
Lede: Both defense offices told the Board of Supervisors they are absorbing more complex casework—especially online evidence and psychosexual evaluations—while asking the county to prioritize investigator capacity and affordable, searchable evidence storage that includes transcription and clip tools.
Nut graf: The public defender asked the board to fund investigator positions and Axon/other evidence storage costs; county management recommended one‑time technology funding while prioritizing compensation and vacancy management across departments.
Body: Jennifer Stock summarized the public defender’s top FY26 request: converting limited‑term ARPA positions (investigators and an attorney) into ongoing full‑time staff, and funding evidence storage and transcription…
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