Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense

205 West 14th Street, Suite 600 • Tom C. Clark Building • (512) 936-6994 • FAX (512) 475-3450

P. O. Box 12066 • Austin, Texas 78711-2066

CHAIR:

THE HONORABLE SHARON KELLER

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

VICE CHAIR:

THE HONORABLE OLEN UNDERWOOD

DIRECTOR

MR. JAMES D. BETHKE

August 6, 2002

Re: Announcement of State Indigent Defense Formula Grant Program 2003 For Texas Counties

Dear Judge,

The Task Force on Indigent Defense (Task Force) is pleased to announce that your county may be eligible for an indigent defense formula grant in the amount of $: link to projected FY03 allocated grant amount for each county. This amount was determined by a formula that sets a $5,000 floor, with the remainder based on your county’s population according to the 2000 Census. Like last year’s formula grants, these formula grants are incentive driven. In order to qualify for funding, your county must apply for these grants and meet the eligibility requirements and comply with rules specified in the grant application kit.

The Task Force adopted §§ 173.1 –173.402 of the Texas Administrative Code on an emergency basis in order to implement the grant authority established by the Texas Legislature. These administrative rules are available at the Texas Judiciary Online at: http://www.courts.state.tx.us/tfid. These rules, combined with the grant application kit that is provided with this letter, establish the guidelines for the administration and submission process for grant funds for 2003.

This grant funding cycle - the time during which expenses may be incurred and during which funds must be obligated - is for the period of October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003. The Task Force will continue to consult with state and county officials to determine how best these grants can be processed and distributed to counties for the continued improvement of indigent defense services.

The rules and grant application kit prepared for this year’s formula grants are intended to provide fiscal assistance to the counties without creating undue expense and reporting burdens in preparing the grant application. I hope you find the rules and grant application kit straightforward, but flexible enough to accommodate the needs of your community.

Please call Bryan Wilson, at the Task Force office, toll free in Texas at (866) 499-0656, if you have any questions about the application process.

Sincerely,

Sharon Keller

Chair, Task Force on Indigent Defense

SK:tt

Enclosure – FY03 Formula Grant Application Kit

cc: Task Force on Indigent Defense

Governor Rick Perry

Representative Rob Junell, Appropriations Committee

Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff

Speaker Pete Laney

Senator Rodney Ellis

John Keel, Legislative Budget Board

Tina Beck, Legislative Budget Board

Mr. Jim Allison, General Counsel, County Judges and Commissioners

Ms. April Bacon, Travis County Auditors Office

Mr. John Dahill, Texas Conference of Urban Counties

Mr. Don Lee, Texas Conference of Urban Counties

Mr. Rex Hall, Texas Association of Counties

Ms. Aurora Zamora, Texas Association for Court Administration