A discussion on the most cost-effective way to provide required pauper attorney services took up a large part of the final Daviess County Council meeting of 2025. The discussion was triggered by requests from the Circuit and Superior Courts for additional appropriations totaling an additional $55,000. Currently, pauper attorney services are provided by attorneys in private practice on an as-needed basis. Several council members suggested that having on-staff county defense attorneys might lessen the cost, which will exceed $800,000 this year. There was also some discussion about what triggers the need for a defendant to require a pauper attorney. The Council reluctantly passed the additional appropriations but will research other options to provide pauper attorney services.
In other business, the Council approved appropriation of restricted funds received by Community Corrections from the Opioid Settlement, $32,000 for E-911 equipment, and $49,000 for fuel for the highway department.
The Council also approved transfers to the Highway Department, the Superior Court, Community Corrections, the Coroner’s office, the Prosecutor’s office, and the Sheriff’s Department.
The Council also heard a report from Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler on moving the office for receiving building permits from the City of Washington to the Highway Department and a general overview of the Highway Department’s work in the county.
