Narrative of Resolution:
title
Create one (1) Assistant County Attorney in the County Attorney’s Office
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If Resolution requires expenditure of County Funds, provide the following information:
Amount to be authorized by Resolution: $98,000 not including benefits
Are funds already budgeted? Choose an item.
Specify Compliance with Procurement Procedures:
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ADD AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY.
WHEREAS: The Office of the Sullivan County Attorney has in the past 18 months handled a greater percentage of work that had previously been outsourced which has significantly reduced the cost of procuring Counsel; and
WHEREAS: The Office of the County Attorney, due to Raise the Age has seen a dramatic increase in caseload over the past 2 years; and
WHEREAS: Over the past year we have seen a dramatic increase in child abuse / child neglect cases which have required removals putting greater pressure on the office of the County Attorney to keep pace with the increased demand; and
WHEREAS: The Office of the County Attorney has also seen an increase in Indicated Report contests necessitating increase number of Fair Hearings to be conducted; and
WHEREAS: The current market for attorneys with the depth and breadth of experience necessary to address the needs of the office limits the pool of potential candidates; and
WHEREAS: The Office of the County Attorney has been able to identify a potential candidate, with nearly (25) years of professional litigation experience; and
WHEREAS: The Office of the County Attorney has increased the number of cases handled “in house” thereby reducing the amount paid to outside counsel; and
WHEREAS: In 2018 - 2019 an Attorney assigned to Department of Family Services Legal Department (now under the auspices of the Office of the County Attorney) was eliminated from the Budget and has therefore remained unfilled; and
WHEREAS: During the years 2020-2021 with the effect of COVID caseload numbers were lower but have now increased to levels even higher then pre COVID levels; and
WHEREAS: Assistant County Attorneys practice, almost exclusively in superior state courts and Federal Court and as such require additional experience commensurate with the demands of these positions; and
WHEREAS: Attracting quality and experienced attorneys to fill our openings will afford the County Attorney to further reduce the amount expended for outside counsel; now therefore it is hereby
RESOLVED: The County of Sullivan will create an additional County Attorney I position at an amended salary of Ninety-Eight ($98,000) per annum plus customary benefit package.
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