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County to accept TIDC award; $45,000 added to pilot law-school intern program
Summary
The court authorized acceptance of a Texas Indigent Defense Commission award that will offset Potter County costs by roughly $100,000 and also approved a $45,000 pilot to pay supervised law-school interns for two summers, with higher rates for rural offices.
Jason, representing the Panhandle Area Public Defender's Office, told commissioners the legislature directed TIDC to reallocate certain funds and Potter County had been awarded part of a regional allocation worth more than $300,000; Potter County's offset was estimated at over $100,000. Jason asked the court to authorize the county judge to accept the award on behalf of the office.
"They awarded us over $300,000 Now that will be, divided up among the same percentages for each of our, 5 partnering counties. However, the savings or the offset will be over a $100,000 to Potter County," Jason said. He also explained an additional $45,000 in the award to pilot paid law-school internships (supervised-bar-card interns) for two summers to boost rural office staffing; he said the funds would be direct from TIDC and would not increase county budgeted obligations.
Commissioners approved authorization for Judge Tanner to accept the TIDC award and approved the intern-pay pilot. Staff said they would work with the county auditor to resolve fringe benefit questions and confirm any payroll-tax implications before payout.
