State—s Attorney requests staff additions and retention funding; committee recommends approval

The Montgomery County Public Safety Committee on May 20 recommended approval, 3-0, of the County Executive—s FY26 budget for the State—s Attorney—s Office, a package the executive put at about $27.4 million — roughly a 9% increase from the FY25 approved budget.

Derek Harrigan and Ms. Farag presented the packet and said the recommended increases included about $278,000 in programmatic and staffing enhancements and roughly $2.0 million for compensation adjustments and operating costs. The enhancements included Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant-funded positions to add two victim-witness coordinators and one office service coordinator (total about $278,000) and the annualization of an attorney retention plan first implemented in October to lower unusually high turnover (about $585,000 annualized).

State—s Attorney John McCarthy spoke to the committee and highlighted community partnerships and outreach, including an expungement clinic with Mount Calvary Baptist Church on May 17, noting that expungements can reduce long-term barriers to employment and housing. McCarthy described office activities on diversity, equity and inclusion and research partnerships for performance dashboards.

Council staff recommended approval of the proposed grant-funded victim and witness coordinator positions and approval of the remaining items as submitted by the executive. The committee recorded yes votes from Council member Katz, Council member Luedke and Council member Mink.

Next steps: The committee—s recommendation will go to the full council as part of the FY26 budget process; staff noted the retention-plan annualization and VOCA-funded positions will be monitored as the office continues to implement retention and victim-services expansions.