Agenda Item# _____
Columbus Consolidated Government Council Meeting
09/13/2016
Agenda Report #_____
To: Mayor and Council
Subject: Salary Adjustments for District Attorney Victim-Witness Personnel
Initiated by: District Attorney/Victim-Witness Assistance Program
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Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize reclassifications which
results in salary increases for 3 salaried positions in the District Attorney?s
Victim-Witness Assistance Program Office utilizing funding from the 5% Crime
Victim Surcharge Funds effective September 24, 2016 as there is 5% Crime Victim
Surcharge Funds available for the District Attorney in the amount of
$438,065.65 as of June 30, 2016 (before audit).
Background: In July of 1989, the Office of the District Attorney began
operating a Crime Victim Assistance Program. In October of 1992, the
Victim-Witness Assistance Program was awarded the first Crime Victim Assistance
Grant, thereby broadening the program for the provision of basic services. In
July of 1995, additional funds were received from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge
Fund, thus allowing the program to expand services to all 6 counties throughout
the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Successful grant allocations have sustained
the program and the office currently employs a Director and 7.5 Victim
Advocates. 70% of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge collected from the counties
within the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit is allocated to the District
Attorney?s program per Ordinance No. 03-37.
Analysis: The Victim-Witness Assistance Program provides services to all crime
victims in the 5 outlying counties and in Muscogee County to all felony crime
victims. Through the years, we have struggled to adequately serve all victims
as our Circuit staffed 2 Superior Court Judges. In January 2015, the circuit
grew to staff 7 Superior Court Judges and the impact has been profound upon our
office. Advocates who used to serve one Judge now serve 2 with double the work
and often conflicting schedules. We are all being asked to do much more than
our job descriptions such as being a legal secretary and acting as an
investigator on a daily basis. Our pay scales pale in comparison to other
circuits of our size; yet we are asking more and more of our staff. We have
received notice that our grant paid advocates will receive a 3% raise in FY18
and we must make the effort now to offset the disparity in salary that has
existed for years. The District Attorney is requesting pay step progression for
three salaried positions which results in an annual increase in the amount of
$13,367.95 from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds. The total amount of
$13,367.95 represents the increase of salary and benefits for the 3 positions
listed below.
Crime Victim Witness: Two Pay Steps Increase for Mildred Cook; Job Title:
Victim Advocate Position; Pay Grade/Salary: G14D to G14F - $36,367.06 to
$38,208.14
Crime Victim Witness: Two Pay Steps Increase for Sherry Jackson; Job Title:
Victim Advocate Position; Pay Grade/Salary: G14A to G14C - $33,770.42 to
$35,480.05
Crime Victim Witness: Seven Pay Steps Increase for Shelly Hall Job Title:
Victim Advocate Director; Pay Grade/Salary: G18A to G18H - $41,145.98 to
$48,909.65
Financial Considerations: The salary increases that will be effective September
24, 2016 only results in an additional increase in the amount $10,283.03 for
the remainder of FY17 and $13,367.95 annually in future budget years. There is
5% Crime Victim Surcharge Funds available for the District Attorney in the
amount of $438,065.65 as of June 30, 2016 (before audit).
Legal Considerations: Georgia Law requires the District Attorney provide
extensive services, information and notification to crime victims.
(O.C.G.A.-17-17-1) The District Attorney is solely and directly responsible for
complying with this law as mandated by the Victims? Bill of Rights. Legislature
acknowledges that this mandate places additional burdens on prosecutors and
have designed laws enabling utilization of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund
to assist in easing said burdens which was confirmed by Council with the
approval of Ordinance No. 03-37.
Recommendations/Actions: Approve an ordinance which will reclassify the three
positions.
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