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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request increasing appropriations by $450,000 for anticipated court appointed attorney and capital case costs in excess of the FY2017/18 Other Public Defense budget, funded by a transfer of $150,000 anticipated savings in Salaries and Benefits within Other Public Defense and an increase General Fund Contribution of $300,000, offset by decreased General Fund Contributions within the Public Safety Fund 900 (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator recommends the Board Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request increasing appropriations by $450,000 for anticipated court appointed attorney and capital case costs in excess of the FY2017/18 Other Public Defense budget, funded by a transfer of $150,000 anticipated savings in Salaries and Benefits within Other Public Defense and an increase General Fund Contribution of $300,000, offset by decreased General Fund Contributions within the Public Safety Fund 900 (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Other Public Defense budget funds the cost of indigent defense in cases where a conflict is present with the County-staffed Public Defender or Alternate Public Defender Offices, and the services of Court-appointed counsel are arranged. In addition the Other Public Defense budget includes funds for indigent defense costs incurred in capital cases.
General Fund costs in this department are a Constitutional responsibility. The County's General Fund exposure, represented by the Court's appointment of private attorneys is driven by two factors: the availability of Public Defender and/or Alternate Public Defender staff to provide representation where appropriate, and the number of hours required by private attorney/investigator/special witness/psychiatric evaluations/court reporter to properly represent indigent defendants. Cost exposures relate...
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