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DIDS board adopts biennial budget; requests $5 million to boost county reimbursements
Summary
The Department of Indigent Defense Services board adopted its FY26–27 budget June 26, approving carryover and line items including county reimbursement funding and training; the director said he requested about $5 million to supplement existing reimbursements.
The Department of Indigent Defense Services board voted unanimously June 26 to adopt the department’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2026–27.
Executive Director Peter Handy told the board current FY25 accounts (BA 1008 and BA 1499) are healthy and that he has requested approximately $5,000,000 to be added to $3,500,000 already in the account to reimburse counties. He said all money from FY24–25 was carried into the base for FY26–27 and identified specific line items: nearly $1,000,000 for oversight advisors, $200,000 for training and resources, $99,000 for providing justice texts, and over $6,000,000 allocated in the base for county reimbursement.
Handy cautioned that if the Department exhausts these funds they would seek replenishment from the interim finance committee. He also said that fourth-quarter county reports are due next week and that the Department will not reimburse counties that fail to submit required reports. The board approved the budget by motion and a unanimous vote.
Members discussed county-level service expansions: Humboldt County has opted into NSPD services, creating some additional budget pressures tied to local rents. Nye County recently raised contractor incentives to $200,000 per year and extended contract terms to two years to attract attorneys after a drop in applicants; Handy said DIDS will assist counties in selecting counsel to remain compliant with Davis workload standards.
