Public defender asks for FY27 budget approval amid concern about pay‑range increases

Jason, representing the public defender’s office, asked the court to approve the FY27 budget required for Timely Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) processes and inter‑county agreements. He said the packet shows about a $30,000 increase over last year but attributed much of that to pay‑range adjustments, mileage, magistrations and an anticipated grant offset from partnering counties and TIDC. "The budget that y'all approved for us last year versus this year's was $30,000 difference," Jason said, adding that last year his office declined a countywide COLA and that he had found external offsets previously.

Several commissioners said they needed more line‑item transparency before approving pay‑range increases that could create expectations across other county offices. One commissioner said he would vote against the budget to signal concern about downstream salary pressures despite acknowledging the public defender’s work. Another commissioner proposed an emergency meeting to review details if necessary. Staff and other commissioners noted that TIDC has an approval schedule that requires the county to act promptly to avoid losing grant or program funding. After debate, the court approved the PD budget (motion, seconded) with recorded votes; one commissioner cast a dissenting vote to express reservations about potential countywide budget ripple effects.

The PD also asked the court to approve a companion resolution to formalize agreement with TIDC and partner counties. Staff and oversight‑board representatives (Bonnie Gundon) were present to confirm the package and timelines. The court approved both the budget and the associated resolution to meet the May filing and TIDC deadlines.