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5. 9:30 A.M. GERARD PICCOLO AND VALORIE BENDIXEN REGARDING COURT CASES <br /> Mr. Quandt stated he was listening to the radio and Mr. Piccolo was going over the number of <br /> court cases and he ask Valorie and Jerry to update the board. Jerry provided information to the <br /> board members regarding the cases that have been filed. Jerry stated he has provided this <br /> information to the committee regarding the caseloads and he also noted that these numbers <br /> should stay because he does not expect additional cases for this month. He noted that he has <br /> withdrawn on 159 cases. There have been 780 felony cases and 620 is the national standard <br /> and the national average for misdemeanors is about 400 per year. They have withdrawn on <br /> 159 so those have gone out to court appointed attorneys. <br /> Valorie Bendixen noted the number of cases that have been filed and there has been about a <br /> 34% increase she also noted they have more search warrants filed. She also noted that with LB <br /> 605 it has changed the number of filings and other types of filings so it increases her work. <br /> Valorie also noted the increase in paper and equipment and it is difficult to maintain any of those <br /> costs. <br /> Arnold expressed concern on the indigent defense <br /> Richardson stated the system for the indigent defense is lacking and it would help if they had to <br /> pay part of the costs. Mr. Piccolo stated they cannot question if they can pay. He was part of <br /> the LB 605 committee and cases are up 10%. They are doing an analysis across the state but <br /> we are not immune from the national epidemic. There are a lot of drug cases. <br /> Mr. Piccolo stated there are three ways to handle this maintain status quo and he has to drop <br /> cases and the county pays the bills, take bids from attorneys in town to cover these excess <br /> caseloads or authorize an additional attorney for his office. The cost of another attorney would <br /> be covered by the savings but the county board has to approve the additional attorney and he <br /> would fill the position. Richardson noted the costs last year for the court appointed attorneys. <br /> There are also the post-release supervision and the probation revocations. <br /> Mr. Zitterkopf stated that there is not a lot of gratitude expressed if they file charges and it is his <br /> impression that the judges are not willing to spend a lot of time investigating if they are indigent <br /> His office does not have any control the weight is on the side of the people who do not think <br /> they file enough charges. <br /> Mr. Piccolo stated it is up to the board what they want to do. <br /> 10 DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION WITH REGARD TO RETAINING MARK FAHLESON AND <br /> REMBOLT LUDTKE LLP FOR NEGOTIATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING <br /> AGREEMENT WITH HALL COUNTY SHERIFF SERGEANT'S ASSOCIATION — Lancaster <br /> noted that this is to start negotiations and the rate will be the same. <br /> Schuppan made a motion and Quandt seconded to retain Mark Fahieson with Rembolt Ludtke <br /> LLP for the collective bargaining negotiations. Arnold, Bredthauer, Lancaster, Lanfear, Quandt, <br /> Richardson and Schuppan all voted yes and none voted no. Motion carried. <br /> 11. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE — <br /> A) Discuss and take Action on Stacey Ruzicka remaining the Keno Administrator and <br /> working remotely during the interim period for the next few months the committee met and <br /> 5 <br />