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Commission rejects DA’s request to amend FY2026 positions with partial grant funding
Summary
A resolution to amend the District Attorney General’s FY2026 grant fund and position control budget — adding four partially grant-funded victim-witness coordinator positions — failed on a recorded vote.
The Shelby County Commission on Aug. 25 voted down a resolution that would have accepted state Grama funds and added a combination of grant- and general-fund-supported partial positions in the district attorney’s office. The measure failed on a roll-call vote in which commissioners recorded six ayes and three noes.
Why it matters: The DA’s office said the grant funding would preserve four victim-witness coordinator positions that support victims and witnesses in criminal cases. County financial staff and several commissioners raised concerns about the practice of using partial grant funding combined with general-fund salary support and the long-term sustainability if grant funds are not renewed.
What commissioners debated: - DA Steve Mulroy and DA administrative staff said the grant will fund part of four victim-witness coordinator positions and that without the grant some positions would be cut. - County finance staff warned that the practice of relying on grant funding for portions of recurring staff costs can create future budget obligations if grants lapse; they recommended caution and controls on split-funded positions.
Outcome: The resolution failed (6 ayes, 3 noes). The DA’s office said it would return with additional information if it can secure a stable funding approach that aligns with county policy on grants and positions.
Ending: Commissioners asked the DA’s office to coordinate with the county grants management office to structure future requests to avoid creating recurring general-fund obligations if state grant funds are discontinued.
