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County approves transitional housing lease for Adult Drug Court and sets court and public defender salaries
Summary
The board approved leasing up to four transitional housing units for the Adult Drug Court program at a not-to-exceed $1,800 per month for all units (funded by a BJA grant), set a Bailiff II salary at $82,630, and approved two Assistant Public Defender salaries at $113,000 each.
Lancaster County commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a set of personnel and program actions that affect court operations and the Adult Drug Court program.
The board approved an agreement with Sober Houses of Nebraska LLC to lease up to four transitional housing units at 2028 Washington Street for the Adult Drug Court program, at a combined cost not to exceed $1,800 per month for all four units. Community Corrections Director Jeff Kilpatrick said the lease is funded through a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant and represents a continuation of existing services.
On personnel matters the board set the salary for Larae Rolenc, Bailiff for a District Court Judge post, at $82,630 (Bailiff II), effective Feb. 23, 2026. District Court Administrator Lynne Albin explained the salary aligns with existing Bailiff II compensation.
The board also approved salaries of $113,000 (Attorney II) for two Assistant Public Defenders: Melissa Wentling, effective Feb. 19, 2026, and Tregg Lunn, effective June 11, 2026. Public Defender Kristi Egger told the board that "both attorneys have approximately 25 years of experience in criminal defense and that the requested salary represents strong value for the level of experience added to the office." The motions for these personnel actions passed unanimously.
All three personnel and program items were approved by recorded vote; the board did not include additional conditions in the motions.
