Polk County district attorney reports rising arrests, backlog shrinkage and requests workshop
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Summary
District Attorney Shelley told commissioners the office recorded 2,630 reportable arrests in 2025 (a 22% increase), described a prior backlog reduced from roughly 2,000 to about 700 outstanding cases, and requested a commissioners' workshop to consider personnel and use of Senate Bill 22 funds to retain staff.
District Attorney Shelley updated Polk County commissioners on the criminal department27s caseload and staffing, saying the office recorded 2,630 reportable arrests in 2025, representing a 22% increase over the prior comparative period.
Shelley said the office inherited a backlog when she took office and that staff have worked to clear it. "When I started 01/01/2023, we had about 2,000 cases that had not made it to a courtroom yet," she said, adding that by the end of 2025 there were about 700 remaining. She attributed progress to internal policy changes and staff reassignments.
The DA also described retention challenges: two positions with roughly 14—15 months' experience left for higher pay in another county after receiving double-digit raises, and Shelley asked the commissioners to schedule a workshop within four to six weeks to discuss personnel strategies and possible use of Senate Bill 22 payroll funds.
Shelley outlined procedural changes intended to reduce clerk workload, including filing only the two strongest charges when five potential counts exist so that lower-level counts are held rather than filed and dismissed later. She said the office is aiming to reduce time-to-court toward a 90-day goal but is currently closer to six months given the backlog.
Shelley asked commissioners to engage on interlocal agreements and creative options to retain personnel and to set a workshop date after the meeting.
The court acknowledged the request and said staff would follow up to schedule the workshop.