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CASA asks Dodge County for $37,000 after budget cuts; request referred to finance committee
Summary
CASA of the Midlands requested $37,000 from Dodge County, saying recent funding cuts reduced its capacity to serve children from about 130 annually to 89 this year; the Board referred the request to the Finance Committee and noted CASA can reduce county court-appointed attorney costs by providing case background.
Happy Aldana, executive director of CASA (Court‑Appointed Special Advocates) of the Midlands, told the Dodge County Board on July 9 that the organization lost 40% of its budget four years ago and another 20% this year and asked the county for $37,000 in the 2025–2026 budget year.
Aldana said CASA typically serves about 130 children each year but has been able to serve only 89 children this year because of the funding losses. County Attorney Hopkins told the Board that having a CASA in court can reduce county costs for court‑appointed attorneys because advocates provide case background that saves attorney research time.
The Board unanimously received the request and referred it to the Finance Committee for further review; no funding decision was made at the meeting.
The referral places the request into the county’s formal budget review process for the coming fiscal year.
