Beaufort County to draft amendment on regional public defender facility; Martin County to review

Beaufort County Manager Brian Alligood told Martin County commissioners on Feb. 13 that Beaufort purchased and renovated a building to house a regional Public Defender’s Office and is seeking to continue cost sharing under an amended interlocal agreement.

Alligood said Beaufort County bought the building for $226,105 and spent about $47,000 on renovations. Beaufort proposed that the purchase and renovation cost be reimbursed over roughly 8.6 years, after which any new interlocal agreement would focus on maintenance costs. He said the move was intended to transition from a private‑rental approach to a government‑owned facility to limit future price increases for participating counties.

Martin County Clerk of Court Tonya Leggett described applicable statutory guidance for facility fees and told the Board, "facility fees must be used to provide and maintain adequate facilities, including public defender’s office." Leggett said some counties in the judicial district pay a maintenance fee while others do not; she recommended the county should contribute some fee but deferred the exact amount to the Board.

Commissioner Ronnie Smith said he supported continued partnership with Beaufort County and Trustees, noting trust in the county managers to draft appropriate language. County Manager David Bone said no action was requested at the Feb. 13 meeting and asked Beaufort County Manager Alligood to draft an amendment for the Board to review at a future meeting.

What happens next: Beaufort County will draft the proposed amendment that specifies repayment timeline and maintenance obligations; Martin County will review any proposed amendment before a formal vote.