At the monthly board meeting of the Winston County supervisors, Bruce Brown, who serves as a part-time public defender for Winston County, came before the board to discuss compensation. Brown reported that, in the last six years, his caseload has increased – both physical appearances with defendants and in the way discovery has changed.
Brown noted that in years past, he wasn’t required to spend a great deal of time watching video in preparation for his public defense cases. With the advent of camera phones, smart cameras on homes and businesses, and surveillance cameras, Brown is now, as he described, spending many hours “doing homework” in order to prepare for cases.
He asked the board to consider changing his rate of compensation, which the board took under advisement. He was instructed to return in January to speak with the board once again.
The board also heard a report from Beth Edwards, head librarian at Winston County Library. She gave an update on activities from September – November.
In other business, the Winston County Board of Supervisors:
- Approved the payment for October 2024 travel expenses for the Chancery Court district reporter ($89.78)
- Acknowledged new hire Emma Doit as district clerk for Soil and Conservation district
- Approved a school bus turn-around in District 4 and in District 5
- Approved the purchase of 3 bench conference microphones and three headsets for Circuit Court; Winston County’s share of payment is $211.20
- Acknowledged the receipt of a report for the distribution of Tax Collector funds
- Approved a payment to Christopher Collins, public defender, in the amount of $6,740.70
- Approved a 16th section land lease
- Acknowledged the inventory report for November 2024
- Approved the cash in bank statement for October 31, 2024
- Approved the minutes of the November 4, 2024 meeting
- Approved the minutes of a special called meeting on November 18, 2024 to discuss PW 164
- Approved the overtime report
- Heard remarks and updates from Jimmy Kemp, County Engineer, regarding the county reseal project
The board also opened bids for surplus equipment and took them under advisement.
The Winston County Board of Supervisors meets on the first Monday of each month at the Winston County Courthouse at 9 AM. For a more detailed description of minutes, please visit the www.winstoncounty.org website.
