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Prosecutor outlines use of one-time state funds for retention bonuses and victims module; board approves amendment
Summary
Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd told commissioners the county will use a one-time state carve-out to fund a victims-contact module for the office’s case-management system and one‑time retention payments for attorneys and legal assistants; the board approved an amendment to a state grant by voice vote.
Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd told the Board of Commissioners on May 21 that a one‑time state carve‑out for the county prosecutor’s office has been made available and that his office proposes to use it for two primary purposes: a subscription module to improve victims’ contact in the county’s case-management system (CARPEL) and one‑time retention bonuses for staff.
“We have been understaffed, underpaid, and overworked,” Lloyd said, describing long-term staffing challenges in the prosecutor’s office. He told the board the office has been short two attorneys and two legal assistants for over a year and that employees have left for higher pay elsewhere. Lloyd said the prosecutor’s office received a county carve-out of approximately $250,000 and asked the board to approve the grant amendment and to permit minor wording changes if Treasury required them for final approval.
Lloyd said part of the funding will pay for a victims‑contact module to improve communication and support for crime victims, and the remainder will fund one‑time retention payments that require recipients to remain employed for at least six months; if staff do not meet that service requirement the payment would be prorated.
Why it matters: The prosecutor’s office handles criminal prosecutions that affect public safety; retaining attorneys and improving victim communication are operational decisions that can affect case processing times and victims’ access to services.
Board action and implementation: The Board of Commissioners approved the amendment by voice vote. Lloyd requested authority for the county chair to sign and to permit minor revisions to the application if Treasury requests wording changes. Controller staff and the deputy controller assisted in packaging the application on an accelerated timetable.
Public and staff context: Lloyd emphasized that while the funds are described as a grant, they are time-limited and in practice a one-time appropriation that must be documented to Treasury. He asked the board to allow the county to implement the plan during the current fiscal year and said he would bring required paperwork for the chairman’s signature.
Ending: The board approved the request and the county will move to submit the final documents to Treasury and implement the victims module subscription and the retention payments according to the plan Lloyd described.
