BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Commission heard a DA Funding Proposal from District Attorney Jessica Ventiere during its Monday night meeting.
“I think that most people believe that we are fully funded by the state of Alabama and that’s not the case,” Ventiere said.
The DA’s office receives an allocation from the state. Last year it was a bit over $511,000.
“Our allocation from the state general fund didn’t even pay for all of our employee benefits,” she said.
Funding comes from several different places, including collection of court costs.
The DA’s office is in need of funds for employee costs, updating IT, digitizing case files and more, Ventiere said.
“First of all, I’d like to point out that we have some of the best prosecutors in the state of Alabama,” she said. “Combined, we have about 96 years of legal experience in that one office.”
However, Lee County pays the second lowest in the state.
Last year the office operated in a deficit of $125,000.
Additionally, cost of living has gone up and the county was approved for another circuit judge. The DA’s office will have to staff that courtroom.
The commission made no comments, there was one question and no decisions were made.
OTHER BUSINESS
– The commission heard an update from Probate Judge Bill English on the new post office box, which will be number 2412.
– The commission introduced the new human resources director, Lisa Ruffin.
– The commission heard the second readings of the Lee County Planning Commission and East Alabama Health Care Authority appointments and approved them.
– The commission approved the Phase 1 Goat Rock Ridge Subdivision.
– The commission approved a tax abatement application from TSP Technologies Inc.
– The commission approved the bridge investment grant application.
– The commission approved an adopt-a-mile application.
– The commission approved the ARPA Storm Water Grant application.