District Attorney Position Funding

At a glance

What: a proposal that municipalities help fund an additional prosecutor position in the District Attorney's office; Apex's share would be $168,000 a year.
Where it stands: at the May 21 budget work session Council reached consensus to leave it out of this year's budget and revisit it later, ideally as a joint effort with other governments.
Next: none scheduled.

Gray agreed the office needs staff but said municipalities should not fund it: it would be a recurring cost, a dedicated Apex position would be hard to track, and the problem is partly internal management; he suggested raising it with the General Assembly and at joint meetings with neighboring towns and the County.
Police Chief Johansen said he had not seen the proposal or been approached by the District Attorney candidate, and said the problem is not a lack of attorneys but the number of cases filed.
Reese noted Mecklenburg County has more than double the prosecutors of Wake County and wants Apex to show leadership when it is revisited.
Mu supports the need but called it a hard no for now: the proposal came from a candidate, not the sitting District Attorney, it benefits more than Apex, and $168,000 is not small.
Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey supports it at a high level but prefers a collaborative memorandum of understanding with several municipalities and a seat at the table; Zegerman said the timing is wrong and the data and vetting are missing.
Town Attorney Hohe said the Town has authority; Mecklenburg County and Charlotte have a similar arrangement, though she would not recommend that exact structure.
Mayor Gilbert asked that the Police Chief be consulted. Town Manager Vosburg said the candidate, Wiley Nickel, indicated he wants to consult local chiefs when the time is right.

Discussed at length; consensus to take no action in this year's budget and revisit later.