Heard County approves DA budget increase after office warns of reduced prosecutions

The Heard County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 25 to increase the county's FY2013-14 contribution to the Coweta Judicial Circuit district attorney's office from $197,667.00 to $232,021.00.

Chairman Lee Boone told the board the district attorney's office initially submitted a proposed Heard County contribution of $197,667.00 but later asked for an increase after larger counties in the circuit declined additional funding. District Attorney Pete Skandalakis told the commissioners that limited personnel across the circuit left the office unable to guarantee full coverage for Heard County and that, unless additional resources were provided, the office planned to stop prosecuting cases in Heard County Probate Court effective Aug. 1, 2013 and in juvenile court effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Sheriff Ross Henry and Clerk of Court Bryan Owensby told the board a full-time assistant district attorney in Heard County improves the efficiency of local law enforcement and court operations. Owensby said the Clerk of Court's office is not backlogged while a full-time ADA is present. After the discussion, Commissioner Sandi Allen moved and Commissioner Jacob Cammon seconded the request; the board's unanimous vote approved the $232,021.00 contribution.

The DA said he would seek additional assistant prosecutors from the state at a later date and may request a letter of support from the county in September; he also noted pending changes in juvenile-court law beginning January 2014 that would require more prosecutorial resources in the circuit.

The decision was recorded as a formal budget amendment to the FY2013-14 county contribution to the district attorney's office.