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Brown County attorney urges county to fund victim-assistance coordinator after VOCA denial
Summary
The county attorney told commissioners the district attorney’s office did not receive a VOCA grant this cycle and recommended making the victim-assistance coordinator a permanent county-funded position while continuing to pursue grant reimbursement.
Michael Murray, representing the county attorney's office, told the court that the office was not selected for the current VOCA victim-assistance grant and that the coordinator role is essential to supporting victims and coordinating restorative services. He said the coordinator handles victim contact, referrals, travel arrangements, and state reimbursements, and that losing the role would harm ongoing criminal-case support and victim services.
Murray proposed adding the position to the county's general fund so the office would not be dependent on the two‑year grant cycle; he explained his office has saved about $149,000 in salary savings this year that could be used to support the position. He also outlined a plan to reapply for future VOCA funding and seek reimbursement when a grant is awarded.
Commissioners discussed timing with the upcoming budget hearings and indicated the budget process in the next two weeks would be the appropriate venue to formalize any change to the permanent payroll. A motion to approve an assistant district attorney hire and salary increase described in the meeting was moved and seconded; the court proceeded with routine approvals and directed staff to include the coordinator request in upcoming budget deliberations.
