ATHENS – Brian Jones, district attorney for Limestone County, plans to request funds from the county commission at its regular meeting tonight.
He’s also turned to constituents to urge officials to add his office as a permanent line item to pay the bills that are overrunning his budget.
In the midst of a budget crisis, Jones will seek $263,924.50 when the commission convenes tonight at its regular meeting to reinforce a shrinking staff for the state’s fastest growing county.
The DA’s office, which receives just 30% of its funding from the state, currently has four prosecutors and recently had to lay off a victim service officer and an assistant DA. Another VSO retired and there are no funds to replace him.
Meanwhile, Jones addressed a letter to crime victims in the community last week asking them to petition the county for additional funds. The county currently does not include the DA’s office in its budget.
“I am writing because there is a huge problem that affects you as a victim and your case in the court system and I NEED YOUR HELP,” Jones wrote in the letter dated June 12.
He said it’s taking longer to prosecute cases in the county because of a $264,000 budget shortfall last year.
“And so it’s kind of coming to a head,” Jones said. “If our income generation is as bad as it was last year, then I don’t know what else I’m supposed to cut.”
Jones added that because of continued growth the Limestone County caseload will only increase. Limestone has been the fastest growing county in the state the last four years.
