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request state auditors to audit his office to see why he ran out of money halfway through the year and why he didn't notify us in time for our budget year. Further, all four counties suggested a resolution to the state to be presented at all the legislative delegation meetings, requesting the state to fund the proper functions. Attorney Vitunac believed the law says we are not allowed to fund more than one public defender, and it, therefore, seems as if we are funding in contravention of state law. If we don't fund this office this way, however, we will be paying for court appointed attorneys. Attorney Vitunac continued that as a third solution, Martin and St. Lucie Counties are going to try to contract with a - private criminal firm for a set amount of money to handle all the cases the Public Defender won't handle and are hopeful of getting a fee lower than that requested by the Public Defender for the six months. The last recommendation was to eventually file suit against the state in mandamus requesting them to fund what they are supposed to fund. Chairman Lyons stated that he would be happy to sue the state in this regard. Attorney Vitunac continued that he would like permission to write a letter requesting an audit of the Public Defender's a office, and he also would like to be authorized to prepare a Resolution to present to State Representative Dale Patchett and actively fight this. In further discussion, it was felt the Board should pursue the options recommended by Attorney Vitunac, but also emphasized that we still will fund the Public Defender's office as decided at the previous meeting. ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by Commissioner. Bird, the Board unanimously authorized the County Attorney to pursue the options discussed. N 0 V 2 0 1995 - 51 BOOK 62 FAGS` 817