Cole County revises VOCA projection and pauses plan to expand prosecutor funding

Summary

Staff told commissioners the VOCA victim-advocate grant projection was reduced from $85,000 to $27,000 and likely faces at least a 40% cut statewide in April 2026; commissioners discussed whether to convert a part-time prosecuting-attorney position to full time and signaled reluctance to backfill lost grant money with county funds without more information.

County staff told the commission Dec. 10 that the county—s projected VOCA (Victim of Crime Act) victim-advocate grant receipts have been reduced in the draft budget from about $85,000 to $27,000. An email from the local prosecuting attorney was cited noting an anticipated statewide 40% reduction in VOCA funding effective April 2026.

Commissioners discussed options: preserve the existing part-time prosecuting-attorney-related staffing level, convert the post to full time and absorb the cost locally, or seek alternative grants. Several commissioners said they were not inclined to backfill a grant reduction with county dollars automatically and preferred to assess other funding options or await further information from the prosecutor.

Staff committed to follow up and bring more details to an upcoming meeting; the commission scheduled a follow-up for 9 a.m. the next day if needed. No formal vote to add county funding was recorded on the record.

Next steps: staff will contact the prosecuting attorney for further clarification and may return with recommendations at a follow-up session.