County approves contract conversion and budget reallocations for CPS prosecution

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved a request from the District Attorney's Office to convert a full-time employee who will take a Henderson County position into a contracted part-time prosecutor for Van Zandt County CPS (Department of Family and Protective Services) cases.

The district attorney said the change will reduce county costs for benefits and retirement while allowing the attorney to continue handling CPS prosecutions under a contract estimated at about $38,325 for the remainder of the grant period. The DA said the arrangement preserves coverage for local CPS matters while saving the county on insurance and retirement expenses.

The court approved auditor adjustments to amend the Title IV-E grant accounting and a budget amendment transferring the stated amount from salary to a contract line. Commissioners approved the motion by voice vote after discussion about grant rules and the mechanics of the transfer.

The DA said the attorney will remain subject to county policies for the DA’s office and that the arrangement is designed to be compatible with overlapping responsibilities in neighboring counties.