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withdrew from 97 so that left 781 divide that by 6 attorneys and that would be 130 felony cases <br /> a year per attorney. They have the right umber of criminal defense attorneys now but if the <br /> cases go up they will have to hire another attorney. He hopes that will not happen. <br /> Mr. Hurst stated when you read someone their rights they are told if they cannot afford an <br /> attorney one will be provided. Mr. Piccolo stated that this is up to the judges if they are <br /> appointed an attorney. He noted that 66% to 75% are appointed. He is prohibited to ask any <br /> question on financial issues. There could be a remedy if it is ordered by the court for them to <br /> pay but the County Attorney would have to have an attorney to try to secure assets. <br /> Lancaster noted that if you look at the cost there would be very little to be recovered. County <br /> Attorney Mart y Klein stated the time spent on securing a judgement and the time spent on <br /> recovery would not be worth it. The recovery is very low. Mr. Piccolo stated that there could be <br /> an administrative fee and noted that there is a better client attorney relationship if they have to <br /> buy in. <br /> Mr. Piccolo stated that the office of Juvenile Defense was started September 1, 2018 and have <br /> opened 197 juvenile cases in 5 months. That is an average of 38 juvenile cases per month and <br /> if you multiply that by 12 it is 480 cases a year. The national standard is 200 cases per year per <br /> attorney per year, so the numbers would support another juvenile attorney. The one attorney is <br /> stretched. It looks like it is saving money and after looking at the claims some of the cases were <br /> from 2016, 2017 and 2018 before the office was established. Actually one from 2012 and there <br /> really isn't a way to get the bills in and paid. The cost will go down. Judge Wetzel said he has <br /> not signed a lot of claims since the office was opened. Jerry stated that the judges like the <br /> efficiency and they prefer to do the cases this way and would like to have another juvenile <br /> attorney. <br /> Lancaster stated she would not support hiring someone mid-year, Jerry stated that they are <br /> doing well and he is presenting the numbers they do support hiring an additional person but that <br /> is up to the Board. <br /> Richardson noted that if they are indigent the county has to pay but the court could order <br /> payment. Discussion was held if they could work with credit management to collect. <br /> Mr. Piccolo stated that he is prohibited to address money issues. Those statutes can only be <br /> enforced by the county attorney. County Attorney Marty Klein stated there would have to be a <br /> judgement issued and then you would have to executive on the judgements. <br /> Peterson noted he has had experience in these matters and the return is so low it is not worth <br /> the time. <br /> 8 CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU BRAD MELLEMA A) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE <br /> ACTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT TO VISITOR PROMOTION COMMITTEE — Brad <br /> Mellema stated that he will have two appointments to make to the board so he would like to wait <br /> for two weeks and do both of the appointments at the same time. <br /> B) DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VISITOR IMPROVEMENT FUND <br /> GRANTS — Mr. Mellema provided information to the board members regarding the visitor <br /> improvement fund balance this has been used to pay off the Heartland Events Center. They <br /> currently have a balance of$172,744 for grant disbursements and have $95,904 unspent <br /> dollars from previous grants that will be redistributed. <br /> 5 <br />