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Public defender seeks Potter County approval for TIDC-funded staffing increases, county share about $30,000
Summary
The Panhandle Area Public Defender requested Potter County sign a continuing resolution to remain in a TIDC grant and approve an expected-expenditures budget; county share of the increase is slightly over $30,000 and TIDC will cover roughly 66% of the overall budget.
Jason Howell, representing the Panhandle Area Public Defender's Office, asked Potter County to sign a continuing resolution so the office can submit its budget to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC). Howell said the total increase allocated to Potter County is "slightly over $30,000" to support a six‑year rollout of attorney pay levels, two additional attorney positions (Hereford and Dumas offices), an investigator in Dumas and a shared support-staff position, all slated to start Oct. 1.
Howell told the court the TIDC grant structure pays the majority of the program: "TIDC is paying 66% of the overall entire budget," he said. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how the county portion was calculated and how caseload allocation affected other counties; Howell said the budget subcommittee allocated costs based on actual case appointments and noted spikes in certain counties required additional staffing. The court approved the resolution and the submission of the expected-expenditures budget 5–0.
