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Daggett County hears request to increase contribution to regional indigent defense program
Summary
The county's indigent defense provider asked Daggett County to increase its county-side contribution amid rising case counts and conflict-case needs; commissioners discussed a gradual increase and suggested splitting costs across the current fiscal year and 2026.
Lance, a representative of the regional indigent defense office, told the Daggett County Commission that caseloads have risen and the county's contribution should increase to maintain a robust roster of conflict attorneys and to cover travel and other costs.
Lance said the regional program was regionalized in 2018–2019 and that Daggett County previously paid a flat annual contribution of about $6,550. He listed county case counts as roughly three in 2019–20, 11 in 2021, 16 in 2022, 28 in 2023 and 14 in 2024; using conservative per-case math, Lance said a consistent baseline would put the county's share closer to a $17,000 annual level for current case volumes, and he asked Daggett County for an incremental increase this year (roughly half of the annual increase) and full participation in 2026.
Commissioners raised concerns about 2023 being an outlier caused by a backlog from COVID and by a change of attorneys, and several asked whether a smaller phased-in increase or a half-year contribution this fiscal year could bridge timing differences. Commissioner comments recommended more detail on county budget timing and suggested staff prepare a short memo or recommended contribution letter. One commissioner volunteered to help draft a response to the regional body (UAC/IDC) that requested comment.
Lance also noted the regional office's conflict hourly rate and roster challenges: conflict-hourly pay is low compared with other counties, which makes recruitment of conflict counsel difficult. He described a regional ask of roughly $78,000 to improve conflict contracts and related items; Daggett County's incremental request was described in the meeting as approximately $9,700 to $10,000 annually (figures presented as the county's portion of a larger regional adjustment).
There was no formal vote to change the budget at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to consider options including paying half the increase this year and the full increase in 2026 and to provide additional budget details for a future decision.
