Sutter County approves $450,000 state grant to expand holistic public defense services

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors on a unanimous vote approved a $450,000 grant from the Office of the State Public Defender to fund an expanded holistic public defense program covering the period Feb. 1, 2026, through June 1, 2028.

Public Defender Michael Salinger asked the board to ratify the grant and related budget adjustments, saying the county requested a "minimal grant of $450,000" to pilot services including social work, housing and treatment referrals. "I'd ask the board to ratify the grant," Salinger said, explaining the model brings non-case services to defendants to address underlying needs that can reduce recidivism.

Salinger described holistic defense as a program that pairs casework with non-legal client services and cited national examples, saying the Bronx Defenders have documented significant incarceration-cost savings in long-running implementations. He said Sutter County will start modestly and use the two-year grant period to test sustainability before seeking additional funding.

Under the approved actions the board authorized acceptance of the funds, a budget adjustment to appropriate $450,000 across fiscal years 2025–26 through 2027–28 as needed, and the addition of 1.0 FTE limited-term social worker (Adult Services 3) and 0.5 FTE limited-term social worker (Adult Services 2) to support program delivery.

Supervisor questions focused on whether this was a new program (staff confirmed it is) and on how the county will evaluate sustainability. Salinger said the narrow, two‑year grant timeline is intended to allow staff to assess outcomes and potential future requests for additional funding.

The motion to ratify the grant, approve the positions, and adopt the budget adjustment carried unanimously on roll-call vote.