Richardson County Hires Public Defender, Approves Statewide Drug Court Agreement
County's district court filings among the top three in judicial district
By News Channel Nebraska
FALLS CITY – The Richardson County board appointed a public defender at its meeting Tuesday and approved a drug court agreement with Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe and Pawnee counties.
Commissioners appointed Steven Mercure as public defender. The public defender pay will go from $68,000 in 2020 to $71,000 in 2023.
District Court Clerk Pam Scott reported that Richardson County is among the top three counties in the district for case filings.
In the fiscal year, the district had 2,076 cases filed and Richardson County had 294 of those.
The district includes Gage, Otoe, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties.
The board approved the Southeast Nebraska Drug Court Statewide Interlocal Agreement.
Sheriff Richard Hardesty Jr. reported the hiring of deputy Mychalynn Miller.
The board also ordered a report regarding the use of a portion of 709 Road east of 661 Avenue.