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Public Defender reports staffing losses, budget underspend and plan to recruit
Summary
Public Defender Phil Silski told the board the office saw a cascade of resignations since summer 2024, underspent its FY25 budget by about 27%, and is seeking adjusted state funding while using short‑term contracts to maintain caseloads until new hires start in late spring.
Phil Silski, presenting the Ottawa County Public Defender’s 2025 annual report, said the office has coped with an unusual personnel turnover that began in summer 2024 and continued into 2026. He told commissioners that 14 attorneys resigned between June 2024 and February 2026, including senior staff who pursued other opportunities, and that the office was underspent by roughly 27 percent in FY25 compared with budgeted amounts.
Silski said the office expects to be fully staffed by about June 1 if current offers and start dates hold. He described a plan to shift some budgeted salary allocations into hourly contracts under MIDC (Michigan Indigent Defense Commission) permission to avoid overloading remaining attorneys while recruitment proceeds. "Teamwork makes the dream work," Silski said during his presentation, describing coordination with mental‑health partners, prosecutors and law enforcement.
Why it matters: the public defender's staffing and spending patterns affect case processing and county budget requests to the state. Commissioners did not take immediate action on the report but heard that staff are preparing the next year's funding request and will continue recruiting.
