Pickens & Fannin Counties not under Contract to Pay Gilmer County for Public Defenders Office

County attorney David Clark let the BOC know that the last signed contract with the PDO was in 2009. Next on the agenda for the BOC is to complete a contract with the Appalachian Circuit Public Defenders office. Currently there is not a contract in place with the three counties that make up the circuit (Gilmer, Fannin, & Pickens). The office for the circuit is located in the Gilmer County Courthouse. County attorney David Clark let the BOC know that the last signed contract with the PDO was in 2009.

During the BOC workshop held on May 12th, a discussion regarding the contract took place between the three county commissioners and the county attorney without anyone from the Public Defenders office in attendance. FYN asks Michael Parham, Head of the Public Defenders office, for a statement concerning the workshop and the lack of having a contract. Mr. Parham let us know he will submit an official statement to FYN and would forward it to us soon.

The county financial officer, Faye Harvey, explained to the BOC what the State requirements are and what reimbursements Gilmer County is owed from the other two counties for the PDO office. Ms. Harvey said that she bills the Counties of Fannin and Pickens monthly and the payments are remitted without question. She went on to say,

“We really need to get this contract signed, just to be sure we get our reimbursement.”

Chairman JC Sanford is calling for a three county meeting to complete the PDO contract and make sure it fits in the current budget.

The 2011 BOC Administration has a full plate trying to complete things like this PDO contract and many other items not completed by the past BOC Administration.

Watch the full discussion on the PDO in the video below.

Appalachian Circuit Public Defenders Office Has No Contract With Gilmer County. No Signed Contract Since 2009. WHY! from Fetch on Vimeo.