To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: David Leyton, Prosecutor
title
RE: Approval of continued funding for ARPA positions at Genesee County's Office of the Prosecutor; THIS IS A GENERAL FUND INCREASE REQUEST FOR FYE 2026-2027 BUDGET OF $202,765.40
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Prosecutor’s Office requests approval for a budget amendment to continue funding out of the general fund for the four (4) positions of Crime Victim Advocate, Administrative Coordinator, Bureau Chief, and Crime Victim Advocate Supervisor, that were previously funded, in whole or in partial, by ARPA funds and who are a critical component to the successful prosecution of felony cases.
BACKGROUND:
The Genesee County Board of Commissioners approved ARPA funds to establish several positions with the Prosecutor’s office to assist with some of the significant challenges that had arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prosecutor’s office established one (1) CVS Supervisor, one (1) Crime Victim Advocate, one (1) Managing Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (MAPA), and one (1) Administrative Coordinator position (upgraded from a paralegal position). During reorganization, the MAPA position was changed to a Bureau Chief with an increased pay scale. Both the MAPA and CVS supervisor were only partially funded by ARPA in regards the amount of their raise from their previous positions. The Crime Victim Advocate and the Administrative Coordinator are all fully funded by ARPA. CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE: Our crime victim advocates are the front-line resource to victims of crime. Cases move through the system and are replaced by new cases with a constant number, and this has been the same for many years. The list of Constitutional obligations this office owes to its crime victims is long and often complicated. Every case, every court event, and follow- up after court events along with updates in between requires the time and attention of a victim advocate. ADMINISTRATIVE COODRINATOR: Our Administrative Coordinator has a variety of job assignments when it comes to witnesses and victims. They assist with different Crime Victim Service programs, such as witness protection, make arrangements for victim and witness travel, lodging, and meals, and assist in several processes and answering phones in our Crime Victim Service division, along with assisting victims who come into the office guidance and answering questions about cases. BUREAU CHIEF (PREVIOUSLY MAPA): Due to the difficulty in attracting attorneys with high levels of trial experience, we still have a high number of staff of less experienced but highly capable younger attorneys. We need to keep a supervisor level position that would be active in the courtroom, supervising and training and sitting second chair at trials. CVS SUPERVISOR: Maintaining contact with victims, often among a transient population, has always been difficult for my staff. Due to the specialized knowledge required to meet the CONSTITUTIONAL requirements owed to victims and the statutory obligations of the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, a supervisor is necessary to monitor compliance.
DISCUSSION:
Fiscal Services estimates that the ARPA funding for these staff members will run out on December 31, 2026. We are requesting an amendment to our General Fund budget so that we may continue the work of the staff members through September 30, 2027, and into the future. Our experience over the past five years is that our case movement through the justice system has improved while utilizing these positions in a variety of ways to make sure everything comes together for success in the courtroom.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
This would continue the current staffing structure that has been in place for the past five years.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The cost for the staff members for the remainder of the fiscal year through September 30, 2027, is estimated to be $202,765.40. SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER ($83,518.29), ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR ($97,967.30), LEAD SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER ($9,038.43), & BUREAU CHIEF ($12,241.38)
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This advances the priority of safe communities by keeping resources to more effectively ensure successful prosecutions of criminal offenders who violate our laws and do harm to our citizens. This also ties into the County’s value of service by giving us the resources necessary to provide prompt, efficient and competent service to victims of crime.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to authorize a budget amendment increase for FY 2026-27, in a total amount not to exceed $202,765.40, to continue funding out of the general fund for the four (4) positions of Crime Victim Advocate, Administrative Coordinator, Bureau Chief, and Crime Victim Advocate Supervisor that were previously funded, in whole or in part, by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request being on file with the official records of the August 12, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).