County Attorney's office says workload outpaces staff, requests reclassifications and pay adjustments

County Attorney Matt Enrooth presented data to the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on July 1 showing the County Attorney's Office handles over 3,700 criminal-court matters annually and prosecuted 405 felonies in the referenced fiscal year. The office requested reclassifications for three deputy positions and pay adjustments for two senior legal assistants to respond to rising caseloads and retention concerns.

The presentation said the office currently operates with a smaller deputy attorney staff than comparable counties while carrying combined city-and-county responsibilities. Enrooth outlined specific requests: reclassification and salary adjustments to recognize supervisory duties for Ann Shea (Chief Deputy), Mike Clague (proposed Chief Criminal Deputy), and Sean Peterson (proposed Chief Civil Deputy), and salary increases for long-serving legal assistants Pam LeProwse and Theresa Duffy. The slide deck included requested salary targets: roughly $137,686 for the chief deputy request (totaling $142,686 with longevity and COLA), about $125,332 (total $130,332) for the chief criminal deputy reclassification, and $120,832 for the chief civil deputy request. The presentation also identified one vacant deputy position.

Enrooth and the office characterized the requests as retention-focused: “Case volumes have climbed steadily while staffing has remained lean,” the presentation said, arguing that competitive compensation would prevent costly turnover and backlogs. The slides compared Butte-Silver Bow to Flathead County, noting Flathead employs more attorneys while prosecuting fewer felonies in the same period.

Commissioners asked procedural and budget-related questions but did not vote on the requested reclassifications or raises at the meeting. The presentation was entered into the record for further council review and budget consideration.