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Lorain County establishes five-member Public Defender Commission, names county and court appointees
Summary
The board voted to establish a five-member Public Defender Commission under ORC 120.13 and appointed three county designees including Mark Ballard as chair; the Common Pleas Court will appoint two additional members.
The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 27 adopted Resolution No. 26-137 to create a five-member Public Defender Commission under Ohio law (ORC 120.13). The commission is charged with overseeing a county public defender office if the county opts to create one, recommending staff and budget size, and appointing a director if the county proceeds.
The board named three commissioners' appointees: Aden Fogel (term through Feb. 28, 2028), Mark Ballard (chair; term through Feb. 28, 2030) and Attorney Brian Lee (term through Feb. 28, 2028). The transcript records that the Common Pleas Court will appoint two additional members (Judge Gary Bennett and Attorney Zachary Simonoff). Commissioner David J. Moore said he anticipates that the commission’s reports and leadership will determine whether the county moves toward a county-run public defender office.
Commissioner Moore remarked on the fiscal context: "I have stacks of paperwork ... the cost is $4.8 million annually with 20% coming from the general fund and the rest from state of Ohio," emphasizing the need to study reimbursements and county exposure. The resolution passed by unanimous vote.
