The Cole County Commission approved extra funds to pay the salary of a victim advocate who will work in the county prosecutor's officer.
Prosecutor Mark Richardson said with the extra $4,000 they would be able to get the person they had hoped to hire, who currently does victim advocate work for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS).
Most of the salary and benefits would be paid through a grant the prosecutor received for $36,000. This grant lasts just over a year and Richardson said they would be eligible to get the grant again next year.
Richardson said RACS can only do advocate work for abuse-related cases. This position will be able to work with victims of cases such as murder, burglary and robbery.
He added without an advocate, it takes away time from prosecutors, who need to focus on their arguments in these cases.
Also on Tuesday:
Commissioners were also told the Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of road signs around the county. Authorities said 25 signs were taken. They believe youth are responsible for the thefts.
The commission also declared an emergency procurement to allow county departments to purchase gas at locations other than the county public works pumps on Monticello Road. The sensors went out on the pumps at the end of last week, but should be repaired by the end of this week.