Dallas County Public Defender’s Office – Reorganization and Repurposing of Positions (Phase I)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

2025-0919 Dallas County Public Defender’s Office – Reorganization and Repurposing of Positions (Phase I) On a motion made by Commissioner Andrew Sommerman, and seconded by Commissioner John Wiley Price, the following order was passed and adopted by the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, State of Texas: BRIEFING DATE: August 19, 2025 FUNDING SOURCE: General Fund Be it resolved and ordered that the Dallas County Commissioners Court does hereby approve Phase I of the Public Defender’s Office reorganization, which supports the department’s efforts to align its staffing structure with operational priorities under new leadership. This initial phase includes the deletion of five (5) vacant Attorney II positions, resulting in salary savings of $625,430. These savings will fully offset the total cost of $513,200 associated with the proposed reclassifications and the continuation of four positions currently funded by Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) Federal ARPA funds, which are set to expire at the end of the calendar year. The resulting net savings of $112,225 ensure that this phase of the reorganization remains budget-neutral, with no additional General Fund cost needed. As part of the process, the Human Resources/Civil Service Department will review all requested positions to determine the appropriate classification titles and grade levels. Done in open Court August 19, 2025 by the following vote: IN FAVOR: County Judge Clay Jenkins, Commissioner Dr. Theresa Daniel, Commissioner John Wiley Price, Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, and Commissioner Andrew Sommerman OPPOSED: None ABSTAINED: