Narrative of Resolution:
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Create one Paralegal and one Crime Victim Services Advocate in the District Attorney’s Office
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If Resolution requires expenditure of County Funds, provide the following information:
Amount to be authorized by Resolution: $0 county funds. Grant only
Are funds already budgeted? No
If ‘Yes,’ specify appropriation code(s): Click or tap here to enter text.
If ‘No,’ specify proposed source of funds: R3089-R167, R3089-R247
Specify Compliance with Procurement Procedures:
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO CREATE ONE (1) PARALEGAL POSITION AND ONE (1) CRIME VICTIM SERVICES ADVOCATE POSITION IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting criminal matters arising within Sullivan County and works with local law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of such matters; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of New York State’s discovery reform requirements has significantly increased the volume of discovery materials that must be collected, organized, reviewed, processed, and disclosed by the District Attorney’s Office within mandated statutory timeframes; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for additional dedicated staff to assist the District Attorney’s Office with discovery compliance, including the organization, processing, management, and timely disclosure of discovery materials, in order to ensure compliance with New York State law and facilitate the timely and efficient prosecution of criminal cases; and
WHEREAS, the District Attorney’s Office receives funding through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (“DCJS”) Discovery Reform funding and Aid to Prosecution program, which provides resources to District Attorneys’ Offices to support discovery reform implementation and enhanced prosecution of serious, violent, and repeat felony offenders; and
WHEREAS, there is therefore a need to create one (1) full-time Paralegal position within the District Attorney’s Office to provide dedicated support for discovery compliance and to assist in expediting the preparation and prosecution of criminal cases; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the Paralegal position shall be funded with fifty percent (50%) of available Aid to Prosecution revenue and fifty percent (50%) of available DCJS Discovery Reform funding, consistent with the applicable requirements and allowable uses of such funding sources; and
WHEREAS, the District Attorney’s Office provides services and support to victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process, including assistance, information, advocacy, referrals, and support to victims and their families; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to create one (1) full-time Crime Victim Services Advocate position within the District Attorney’s Office to provide dedicated assistance and advocacy to victims of crime and to support the continued delivery of victim services; and
WHEREAS, the Crime Victim Services Advocate position shall be funded through one hundred percent (100%) of the funding available under the New York State Office of Victim Services (“OVS”) Victims of Crime Act (“VOCA”) Victim Assistance Grant Program, Contract No. C00449GM, which provides funding to public agencies and organizations providing direct assistance and services to victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, the District Attorney should be authorized to select and appoint qualified candidates for each position based upon applicable experience, qualifications, and the needs of the District Attorney’s Office, and the availability and continuation of the applicable grant funding; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that one (1) full-time Paralegal position and one (1) full-time Crime Victim Services Advocate position be, and hereby are, created within the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Paralegal position shall have a salary range of $67,368 to $83,324 annually, subject to applicable County salary schedules, commensurate with the candidate’s applicable experience and qualifications, and shall be funded with fifty percent (50%) of available Aid to Prosecution revenue and fifty percent (50%) of available NYS DCJS Discovery Reform funding, subject to the applicable requirements, allowable costs, and availability of such funding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Crime Victim Services Advocate position shall have an annual salary of $51,913.00 for the first six (6) months of employment and thereafter an annual salary of $54,645.00, subject to applicable County salary schedules, and shall be funded through one hundred percent (100%) of the funding available under the NYS OVS VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program, Contract No. C00449GM, subject to the applicable grant terms and availability of such funding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District Attorney is authorized to appoint qualified candidates to the positions herein created, subject to applicable Civil Service requirements, County policies, and the availability and continuation of the applicable grant funding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if grant funding ceases, the position(s) will be abolished.