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Prosecuting attorney’s office outlines budget adjustments, cites training and trial costs
Summary
County Prosecuting Attorney staff presented 2026 budget adjustments including reduced cell phone lines, increased dues/subscriptions (Westlaw), and higher professional/contract services to cover subpoenas, transcribing and expert fees tied to increased trial activity.
Ryan (Prosecuting Attorney staff) presented proposed line‑item changes for the county Prosecuting Attorney’s office at a budget workshop, citing adjustments tied to recent trial activity and training needs.
The office proposed reductions in some cell phone and gas line items after prior overspending, and increases in dues and subscriptions to cover legal research services such as Westlaw and in professional/contract services to cover subprocesses such as process servers, transcribing and certified record retrieval. The office explained that recent trial volume, including multiple homicide trials, has driven higher demand for subpoenas, expert witness fees and transcription costs.
Ryan said the office planned a $10,000 increase in professional/contract services and had adjusted meal and lodging and mileage lines for training and continuing legal education. He noted continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and said training schedules are staggered to maintain office operations.
The proposed 'drug fund' transfer of $25,000 annually to help offset Prosecuting Attorney expenses was discussed; staff projected a year‑end drug fund balance near $220,000 after the transfers. Prosecutor staff said child support costs and victim‑witness services showed only small changes.
Commissioners asked about large year‑to‑year percentage changes in some line items; staff explained they were estimates that reflect trial frequency and unpredictable trial‑related costs such as medical examiner testimony fees and expert charges. The office presented a year‑to‑year general fund request change that showed an overall modest reduction in requested general fund expenses for the prosecuting attorney general fund compared with the prior year, after accounting for adjustments across divisions.
No formal vote was required; commissioners directed staff to submit the requested budget items and noted additional follow‑up on revenues vs. expenses would be provided.
