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Commissioners OK $6,000 from seizure fund to boost two victim coordinators' pay
Summary
The court approved using $6,000 from asset-forfeiture funds to provide a $3,000 annual supplement to each of two victim assistance coordinators after a request by the district attorney; the motion passed unanimously.
The Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved on June 23 a request from the district attorney to use $6,000 from the county's asset forfeiture fund to increase annual compensation for two victim assistance coordinators by $3,000 each.
"I am requesting that we use $6,000 from our asset forfeiture fund to be split amongst our two victim coordinators annually at $3,000 a piece," District Attorney Ms. Palmer told the court, saying the fund is not taxpayer-funded and that recent increases in violent crimes and crimes against children motivated the request. She described the coordinators' duties: establishing immediate contact with victims, keeping victims updated with court dates, and providing support through trial, sometimes into late hours.
Court members asked whether the stipend and associated fringe costs would be sustainable; Ms. Palmer said the office had more than $100,000 in the asset forfeiture account and believed the supplement could be sustained based on typical intake and expenditures. A court member asked whether fringe benefits would fall to the court; the record shows that the court would be responsible for associated fringe costs as with similar supplements, and Ms. Palmer said she would verify details.
Commissioner Tulley moved to approve the request; Commissioner Pruitt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Victim assistance coordinators provide case-notification and emotional and logistical support to crime victims; the court's approval uses non-tax asset-forfeiture dollars to provide recurring stipends. The county did not adopt a change to base salaries; it authorized the use of seizure funds for the annual supplements and asked staff to clarify fringe and sustainability details.
Next steps: Ms. Palmer said she will present a budget request for additional attorney resources during the formal budget process and will confirm fringe-benefit details of the stipend as requested by the court.
