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Ely municipal judge warns public defender costs may exceed FY25 budget by about $14,000
Summary
Municipal Court Judge Mike Coster told the council the city's contract with the Nevada State Public Defender is projecting approximately $40,500 in charges this fiscal year compared with a $26,000 line item, a potential $14,000 overrun the court plans to scrutinize.
Ely — City Municipal Court Judge Mike Coster told the Ely City Council on Feb. 27 that the city's budget for public defender services is likely to be exceeded by the end of the fiscal year.
Coster said the court increased the Nevada State Public Defender line by 20 percent to $26,000 for fiscal year 2025 but is now projecting expenditures in the neighborhood of $40,500. "At the rate we are currently expending it looks like we're going to be at $40,500, some $14,000 more than the upward adjusted fiscal year 2025 budget," he said, adding that the court is giving agency bills closer scrutiny and will provide specific figures to the city treasurer.
Coster urged council members to contact him with questions during the month and indicated his office will work with City Treasurer Janette Trask and other staff to reconcile invoices. The judge framed the issue as a budget-management concern rather than a change in policy or services.
The council did not take any immediate corrective action at the meeting; the report was provided so staff and council could assess options for covering potential overages or adjusting future budgets.
