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Carter County reviews attorney budget request, considers victim‑advocate hours and courthouse security logistics
Summary
County Attorney Corbett Harrington requested a $10,000 increase to the litigation/professional services reserve for FY2026–27; staff discussed adding victim‑advocate duties to an existing position and next steps for training and implementing the courthouse security fob system.
At its May 6 meeting the Carter County Commission reviewed several budget items presented by County Attorney Corbett Harrington and other county staff, including a proposed increase to the litigation reserve and discussion of adding victim‑advocate duties to existing staff.
Harrington asked the commission to raise the litigation/professional services line by $10,000, bringing the reserve to $50,000, to ensure the county has funds available for potential major litigation without disrupting the general fund. “Unless circumstances change, I wouldn’t anticipate requesting more than that under a normal year,” Harrington said, adding the fund has historically been sufficient and that in emergencies he would request additional appropriations from the commissioners.
Commissioners also heard from Stacy Ashbrook about the possibility of expanding an assistant’s hours to perform victim advocacy — contacting victims, coordinating counseling and restitution, assisting pro se defendants with paperwork and providing continuity during case processing. Ashbrook said much of the advocacy work requires regular daytime availability, training and coordination with state victim‑services funds. Commissioners asked for a specific proposal on hours, duties and costs and discussed whether a multi‑county cooperative model might be more cost‑effective for small counties.
Judy Wright, clerk and recorder, gave a public‑comment update on courthouse security: wiring is complete and the system is ready to go live once door fobs are distributed and a final alarm code is assigned; staff training was scheduled for the week following the meeting. Wright said cameras currently cover interior hallways but not every exterior door and recommended starting with the installed configuration and expanding later if needed.
No formal budget votes were taken; commissioners asked staff to return with more detailed cost proposals for additional staff hours and recommended that the victim‑advocate scope be refined before any salary or comp‑board submissions. The commission also noted that the EMPG reimbursement for emergency preparedness salary line (~$11,000) is being held at FEMA Region 8 but expected to be released for FY2025 costs.
