Resident urges board to allocate money to cold-case investigations, cites unresolved homicides

Ed Slavin, a candidate for Mosquito Control Seat 2, used public comment at the Sept. 3 hearing to press the board to allocate funds for cold-case investigations and domestic violence cases. Slavin told commissioners that the Michelle O'Connell homicide remains unsolved after 16 years and that both a federal and a state judge found probable cause in the matter.

He asked that the county set aside funding for investigative work and for county offices to develop evidentiary casework rather than relying on paid testifiers in zoning and other proceedings. Slavin said he had already emailed staff and urged the board to direct OMB and appropriate prosecutors to consider budget allocations for cold-case work.

The board did not alter the tentative budget at the meeting, but Slavin's request was placed in the record and staff indicated they had received his follow-up email.