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County raises concerns as MIDC requires full invoice uploads, special meeting set over Wayne County dispute
Summary
Karen Moore told commissioners the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission now requires jurisdictions to upload all invoices and supporting records; Moore said the change substantially increases workload and cited a Jan. 21 special MIDC meeting about a dispute with Wayne County and a Feb. 18 session on proposed grant-manual changes.
Karen Moore, speaking at the Jan. 8 meeting, told commissioners that the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) now requires jurisdictions to submit every invoice and supporting record for the current grant year and has hired additional staff to review them.
"She actually said, we will be reviewing every one of them," Moore said, describing the grant manager's presentation to the MIDC board. Moore told commissioners that the level of review will require attorneys to scrutinize police reports and body-worn camera footage and said her firm has absorbed additional workload across eight counties.
Moore warned the change increases administrative burden and potential local costs. She said MIDC hired three additional staff to do the review work and that some jurisdictions that volunteered the data last year revealed many errors, which MIDC cited as justification for the mandatory submission.
Moore also flagged a Jan. 21 special MIDC meeting concerning issues with Wayne County that she described as moving toward mediation and possible litigation, and she said the regular Feb. 18 meeting would consider changes to the MIDC grant manual. Moore and other commissioners said they have proposed permitting counties to use their cost-allocation plans for indirect costs and are awaiting the MIDC chair's decision on forming a committee to consider the change.
On juvenile defense, Moore said Susan Prentice, who previously handled regional MIDC work, has formed a juvenile test course and that county officials expect the juvenile-representation initiative to move forward. Moore said counties are pushing back where possible but that the state appears likely to proceed with program changes.
Moore urged commissioners to follow MIDC meetings and noted the county received a modest increase in grant funds effective Oct. 1, 2025 (as reported to the board), but warned staffing shortages make the implementation burdensome. No formal action was taken; Moore said the county would continue to press concerns at the Michigan Association of Counties and with MIDC representatives.
