Committee approves part-time assistant state's attorney position, citing recruitment challenges

An unnamed county representative told the committee the Law & Justice committee recommended creating a part-time assistant state's attorney to address recent retirements and a limited pool of applicants for full-time positions.

"It was presented at $52,000 a year," the presenter said, adding the role is intended to give flexibility and allow the county to draw on the local legal community while staffing remains thin.

Members asked whether a part-time hire would reduce benefit costs. The presenter said that would depend on hours but that, for the coming year, the cost would be offset by reallocating funds from other line items; whether the position continues in the long term would be revisited during the next fiscal budget process.

Several members expressed support while urging the salary and finance committees to coordinate on budget treatment. With that understanding, the committee voted "Aye" and approved creating the part-time position as presented.

Next steps: staff will proceed with establishing the position and coordinate with Finance about how the role will be budgeted and reviewed during next year's budget process.