Bill Hall, LC Commissioner
LIncoln County Commissioner Bill Hall told his fellow commissioners Wednesday that although state support revenues for the county will be less than in the past, it appears that the county will make it through the next fiscal year without having to lay off any further personnel. Hall added that it even appears that the county will have enough money in its capital improvement fund to replace the roof on the county jail and purchase some long overdue software upgrades for certain county departments. Hall indicated that reducing county employee levels by 87 positions over the past two to three years has severely strained many county services, especially those that provide medical and mental health services. He said funding for those programs appears to have stabilized for the moment but that he’s concerned for other similar services relying on grant funding.
Rob Bovett, District Attorney
Meanwhile, District Attorney Rob Bovett also gave a report that indicated that the worst cuts may be over for his department as it relates to continuing to provide the money for special courts in Lincoln County; Domestic Violence, Drugs, “Hope,” and Mental Health. Bovett said that state lawmakers know that each of the special courts have reduced rates of re-offending and created a pathway to recovery from mental illness, violence and drug addiction. He said the specialty courts are also making it possible for more crime victims to get compensation from their perpetrators for their loss and grief. Bovett said there is never any guarantee that support for these courts will remain available. But he added, “the support, for now, seems to be holding. At least this week.”
