FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET MESSAGE   The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Office of the Public Defender, 23rd District, is attached to this document. Its provisions are subject to approval by the Office of the State Public Defender [OSPD] and may be amended from time to time before and after adoption. The effective date for its proposed provisions is July 1, 2026.   The proposed financial plan is to utilize the monthly receipts, periodic and one-time payments of grant money, contributions and reimbursements from clients, and all other income sources, plus cash reserves on hand, to pay administrative and office expenses, contractual fees to attorneys, and others serving the Office of the Public Defender, 23rd District on a part-time basis, and salaries of full-time and part-time staff, all to provide defense services to eligible clients as defined by the OSPD, according to orders of the 23rd Judicial District Court.   An annual assumption in preparing the proposed budget concerns the locally generated monthly income of the Office of the Public Defender, 23rd District. The principal funding source consists of payments of court costs by persons pleading guilty to misdemeanors and traffic offenses, which is an uncertain amount that fluctuates from month to month and is entirely related to the Office of the Public Defender, 23rd District’s workload, and expenses. External factors, such as a reduction in enforcement activities, convictions, and assessment of court costs, could result in some unknown and unknowable decrease in the amount projected for collection.   With that caveat in mind, the projected budget proposes to use income during FY 26-27 [estimated to be $1,586,886.62]. The projected expenditure is $459,020.00 for personnel costs, including personnel services, benefits, and travel and training expenses. The need for contract attorneys who provide legal counsel for the indigent and other professional services is projected to be $1,244,500.00. There are times when travel and training are necessary to enhance the quality of service to the indigent, estimated to be $20,100.00. The 23rd District incurs operations and maintenance throughout the year, which is anticipated to cost $62,200.00. Occasionally, there will be capital outlay projects, and $2,000.00 has been allocated for such. The expected expenditures for FY26- 27 are $1,789,820.00, leaving the net revenue at $-202,933.38. Beginning cash on hand is $1,393,734.00, resulting in an estimated fund balance of $1,190,800.62. The $-202,933.38 net loss was due to a decrease in State DAF funding and increases in insurance and other expenses, but reserves fully cover it.   If all projected collections occur and all necessary and reasonable budgeted expenditures occur, end-of-year account balances will remain on target. If contingencies require unbudgeted expenditures, the payments will be from reserves, and a budget amendment will be made. /s/Tonya B. Clark Tonya B. Clark, Budget Preparer 12370958 6/4 6/11/26 ($176.20)