Dawson County to advance FY2026 public defender contracts starting Jan. 1

Circuit Public Defender Mark Alexander, newly appointed in November, told the Dawson County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 18 that the office is seeking routine approval of two FY2026 contracts that provide representation for indigent defendants in the circuit.

Alexander said the requests include a state contract with the Georgia Public Defender's Council and an intergovernmental agreement with Hall County that funds roughly half of a lawyer position and half of an administrative assistant. "These contracts, I understand, are already funded in the budget," Alexander said, adding staff support will come from the office in Hall County when local caseloads require additional attorneys.

The board was told the contracts are intended to be effective Jan. 1. Alexander introduced Isabel Lucas, his office manager, and said he welcomed questions and the chance to meet county staff.

The commission moved the item forward for action at the upcoming voting session; no detailed vote tally was recorded in the work-session transcript.

The contracts described are annual administrative actions that restore or continue funding for public defense staffing; the board will consider formal approval during the next posted voting meeting.