(D.A. to seek a new employee)…The Board of Supervisors gave their approval Tuesday.

District Attorney Gilbert Otero said he wanted to recruit a Criminal Research Specialist 2. He explained to the Board the position would be funded by the state, and would not affect the County General Fund. The Supervisors had recently said they wanted to freeze all new hires until they were able to trim the County Budget. The Board, however, agreed this position would not affect the General Fund and could even be considered generating funds, since state money would be brought into the county to pay for the new position. Another factor was that the Board had already approved the position in April of this year. Otero agreed with the Board, to try and fill the position locally. AB 109 funding would be covering the expenses for the position in the new fiscal year.