Referred to: The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee (Chairwoman Hansut and Legislators Clinton, Hewitt, Maloney, McCollough and Walls), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairwoman of the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, Gina Hansut, and Deputy Chair Chris Hewitt offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Public Defender; and

          WHEREAS, the Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation to indigent legal defendants in all criminal courts in Ulster County; and

          WHEREAS, the position of Investigator supports the defense of indigent legal clients and requires a specific background in law enforcement and investigatory techniques and training; and

          WHEREAS, the Public Defender utilizes Investigators to perform all aspects of criminal investigations including, but not limited to, conducting interviews, running background checks, completing undercover surveillance, preparing legal documents, conferring with attorneys, and analyzing evidence; and

          WHEREAS, the Public Defender has two part-time Investigator positions with this position vacant since December 2023; and

          WHEREAS, despite continuous advertising and recruitment efforts, there have been no qualified applicants to fill this part-time position; and

          WHEREAS, the current highly qualified individual in part-time position number 1170-1210 is willing to accept employment as a full-time Investigator; and

          WHEREAS, the Public Defender’s Office would benefit from access to investigatory services during all business hours, not limited to a part-time schedule; and

          WHEREAS, these issues would be corrected by upgrading the one Public Defender Investigator position (1170-1227) to a full time position with an annual salary of $73,360.00; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) encourages and promotes the utilization of Investigators to enhance representation of indigent defendants; and

WHEREAS, ILS has approved the budget for the Hurrell-Harring settlement grant funds for the period April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2027, which provides funding for this modification, including related fringe benefits; and

WHEREAS, the anticipated start date for the full time position will be September 1, 2024; and

          WHEREAS, the Public Defender requests the 2024 Ulster County Budget be amended to upgrade Public Defender Investigator position (1170-1227) to a full time position; now, therefore be it

          RESOLVED, that the 2024 County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

AMEND

POSITION #                              TITLE                                      AMOUNT

1170-1227                                  Investigator (70 Hrs)                    $73,360.00* 

(PL #)

*New Amended Annual Salary

Annual Benefits: $35,902.00

F/T Salary to Year End Starting 9/1/24 - $24,360.00

Benefits to Year End Starting 9/1/24 - $11,921.00

(Change to Full-Time and Increase Rate)                             

INCREASE                               AMOUNT            

AA.1170.1048-1300.1300            Regular Pay                                $24,360.00 (App. #)

AA.1170.1048-8000.8000            Retirement                                  $ 1,742.00

(App.#)

AA.1170.1048-8010.8010            Social Security                            $    861.00

(App.#)

AA.1170.1048-3300.3025            State Aid                                    $13,862.00    (Rev. #)                                     Indigent Legal Services         

DECREASE                              AMOUNT  

AA.1170.1048-1400.1400            Part Time Pay                             $13,101.00

(App.#)

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:      

Passed Committee: Law Enforcement and Public Safety on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$13,862.00 – ADDITIONAL 2024 APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$13,862.00 – ADDITIONAL 2024 STATE REVENUE DOLLARS