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PA Memo to BOCC Re Request for Increased PositionTO: FROM DATE: Lewis County Prosecuting 345 W. Main Street, 2od Floor Chehalis, WA 98532 Attorney'.s Office Phone: (360) 740-1240 Fax: (360) 740-1497 TDD: (360) 740-1480 MEMORANDUM BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CL JONATHAN L. MEYER, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY JANUARY 6, 2023 W RE: REQUEST FOR INCREASED POSITION f- 06 2OZ3 The Lewis County Prosecutor's Office had a recent opening in the Criminal Division. The Deputy that vacated that position did so to accept a position in another County. Much like Prosecutor Offices around the state, entry level positions have been hard to fill. However, we were able to attract a highly qualified candidate. This candidate has over a decade of prosecutorial experience and comes highly recommended. In addition, a long-term goal of this Office has been to have a staff of criminal attorneys qualified to handle even the most challenging of cases. The person that vacated the position would have, automatically, been promoted from a DPA I to a DPA II in calendar year-2023 (January 15, 2023) based upon the contract entered into between the DPA Guild and the BOCC. However, this Office is seeking to overfill the position to a DPA III level. This still leaves us down from historic levels by one (1) criminal attorney and one (1) civil attorney. This proposed move would provide the Criminal Division with approximately 175 years of prosecutorial experience. Below, for illustrative purposes, this Office has outlined the potential budget impacts and potential increases that are being anticipated. At this time, the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office is not seeking a budget increase. Historically, this Office has returned monies at the end of the year and is confident the same may occur in 2023. However, transparency is key and this Office is seeking tentative approval for this potential increase expense. Please let us know if you need any further information prior to meeting to discuss this request. We appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to discussing this in more detail with the Board. POTENTIAL FINANCIAL IMPACT Description Monies Difference Vacated position (As of January 1, 2023, without benefits $79,884 DPA II (As of January 15, 2023, without benefits $85,952 $3,994.20 -Proposed DPA III estimate from Beck $122,152 $36,200 Estimated Schooling Expenses Offset $25,000 $11,200 It is the Mission of the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office to zealously seek justice in all criminal matters, consistently promote public confidence in the legal system, and diligently represent county government while adhering to the highest ethical and moral standards. GENERAL OVERVIEW Office Admin (Brit) Sr. Admin. Paralegal.: (Teri) Sr. Admin. Paralegal S�. Paralegal (Holly) Paralegal(Tammi) Paralegal (Till Paralegal (Lori) Paralegal (Natalie) Paralegal(Montessa) Investigator (Luis) Victim Witness (Marltza) Legal Assistant (Heather) Legal Assistant (Sherry) Legal Assistant (Jeri) Office Assistant (Lindsey) Cold Case Investigator Casual Help Interns (non - attorney) DPA III (Kevin) DPA III (Robert) DPA II (Barbara) Senior DPA (Paul) Senior DPA (Scott) DP DPA III (Travis) DPA I (Vacant)