Rockdale County Budget Hearing 08/05/2026

The Rockdale County Budget Hearing held on August 5, 2026, included a detailed presentation from the public defender's office regarding staffing and operational challenges. The public defender highlighted a significant increase in caseloads over recent years, driven in part by population growth and associated crime rates. The office currently faces staffing shortages, with only eight attorneys on board but a need for 15 total, including specialized attorneys for homicide and sex crimes, as well as additional investigators and part-time attorneys for ordinance and magistrate courts. Retention and recruitment difficulties were discussed, noting competition from neighboring counties offering higher salaries and closer commutes. The public defender requested additional positions to adequately staff the office and improve service delivery, emphasizing that previous budget approvals had helped but more resources are needed. There was also mention of capital improvement plans limited to vehicle replacements, with no new CIP requests. The discussion underscored the need for investment in personnel to prevent system backlogs and maintain effective public defense services.