Public defender services renewed

LISBON - With eight days left in the year, Columbiana County commissioners finally got around to renewing their 2009 contract with the nonprofit organization that provides public defender services.

The contract for $409,500 with the Criminal Defense Corp. was approved at this week's meeting of the commissioners, who said they had neglected to officially renew the contract because of a dispute over how much the CDC should be paid.

The CDC provides state-mandated taxpayer-funded legal representation to accused criminals who lack the means to hire their own attorneys. In the 1990s, commissioners scrapped the county public defender's office and created the CDC in its place as a way to save money because the CDC attorneys are contract employees and receive no county benefits.

Without the CDC, judges could appoint attorneys to represent criminals on a case-by-case basis, which would be much costlier to the county.

When the CDC requested an increase in funding this year, commissioners balked and in the process the contract never got renewed until now, although the attorneys continued to be paid. Commissioners said they expect to renew the CDC contract at the current cost for 2010 at its Dec. 30 meeting.

In other action at this week's meeting, commissioners renewed a contract with the Community Action Agency to continue administering the microenterprise loan program for businesses that employ one to two people. The CAA's fee is $23,000, which comes from a state grant.

Under the program begun in the 1990s with state funding, loans of up to $15,000 are awarded to small businesses who qualify after their applications are reviewed by the CAA, which also provides credit counseling and other services to applicants.

Over the years, $202,000 has been loaned out, resulting in creation of an estimated 25 jobs. There are 22 loans currently outstanding, and the fund has a balance of $49,742.