Ohio Public Defender briefs Ross County on indigent defense funding; seeks contract renewal
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Summary
Patrick Clark of the Ohio Public Defender told Ross County commissioners the office will present a contract proposal in March and highlighted the current 82% reimbursement rate, the states cost-projection request for counties and an auditor-led performance review due Jan. 1, 2027.
Patrick Clark of the Ohio Public Defender told the Ross County commissioners that the office will bring a contract proposal this spring and urged the county to help complete a state cost-projection report to stabilize future reimbursements.
"Currently, we're 82%," Clark said, identifying the programs present reimbursement level and noting that OPD expects to sustain that rate through the remainder of the fiscal year.
The briefing explained why that rate may change: OPD outlined three reimbursement scenarios tied to statewide monthly submissions. If monthly submissions across the state average about $19.5 million, OPD projects the 82% reimbursement to hold; at $20 million a month the estimate is roughly 80%, and at $20.5 million a month the projection falls toward 78%. Clark said the cost-projection report will ask each of Ohios 88 counties for planned and historical spending to improve year-over-year predictability and advocacy to the General Assembly.
The presenters also summarized a legislatively required performance audit of indigent-defense delivery systems that is due Jan. 1, 2027. Clark said the auditor of state will examine models that include county offices, nonprofit contractors and assigned counsel systems and that the auditor may contact counties directly as part of the work.
Commissioners asked about operational impacts at the local level should the judiciary expand: Clark and colleagues said talks are underway about adding a third felony judge, which would have downstream effects on court staffing, space needs and the countys contract planning. Clark noted the OPD office currently has two investigators and a social work assistant in Ross County, which he said has improved efficiency and helped reduce jail population pressure by identifying alternative placements when appropriate.
OPD told the board it would return in March with a contract proposal for a July 1 start consistent with the state fiscal year timetable. The county did not take a final vote on the contract at this meeting.
Next steps: OPD will follow up with the commissioners and county staff to support the cost-projection submission and to deliver a written contract proposal in the coming weeks.