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Commissioners trim indigent defense request amid fluctuating appointed‑attorney costs
Summary
The court discussed reducing the FY2026 indigent defense line from $215,500 to $194,500, reflecting lower projected expenditures and recent yearly variances in appointed attorney spending; Judge McClain said he already expanded per‑case fees to recruit counsel.
Auditors reported that the county budgeted $215,500 for indigent defense this year and proposed trimming that to $194,500 for FY2026. The auditor noted year‑to‑date expenditures of about $80,000 and prior year totals of $96,000 (2023) and $112,000 (2024). "Last year, I made a pretty significant increase in the court‑appointed attorney's fees," Judge McClain said, adding that the county pays $600 for primary criminal cases and $100 for additional cases to help recruit out‑of‑county counsel when needed.
Judge McClain told the court he reduced his requested indigent defense line by roughly $16,000 from last year based on observed trends and said he will try to manage within the lower figure but could not promise it would hold. Commissioners asked whether internal line transfers were allowable if one sub‑line runs heavy; auditors confirmed they can do internal transfers within the department if needed.
The court did not adopt a final vote on the figure but recorded the discussion and asked auditors to reflect the proposed $194,500 in upcoming drafts and to provide midyear transfer procedures if expenditure patterns change.
