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Board approves 10% CPI bump for Victim Witness Services contract for FY25
Summary
The Board approved a FY25 amendment adding 10% CPI to the county’s contract with Victim Witness Services of Northern Arizona, increasing compensation by $163,000 and bringing the FY25 total to $179,300; county leaders emphasized the program’s unique role and satellite coverage across the county.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to the county’s fiscal year 2025 agreement with Victim Witness Services of Northern Arizona to increase compensation by 10% (a $163,000 increase), bringing the total FY25 contract price to $179,300.
Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez moved the amendment and Supervisor Patrice Horstman seconded; the board voted aye and the motion carried. County staff and the county attorney’s office described the funding as coming from operating funds.
County Attorney Eamonn Barker explained the county’s longstanding arrangement with Victim Witness Services and said Coconino County is the only county in Arizona, to his knowledge, that contracts victim‑advocacy services to an outside non‑profit rather than maintaining the functions entirely inside the county attorney’s office. Barker told the board the arrangement provides cost‑effective service delivery and a dedicated channel for victim advocacy throughout the county.
Barker and other speakers noted that Victim Witness Services maintains multiple satellite locations, which the presenters said helps the program serve large, rural stretches of Coconino County that include Page, Williams, Tuba City and Grand Canyon areas. Vice Chair Horstman praised the partnership and emphasized victim advocates’ role in explaining the justice process to survivors and ensuring victims’ rights are upheld under state law.
Why it matters: Victim advocates provide crisis response, court accompaniment and rights advocacy that county leaders said improve victims’ access to services and help align prosecution and support services. The board’s approval funds those services for the remainder of FY25 at the increased rate.
