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Alternative No. 3: Each county could contract with one or more local attorneys to handle these "overload" cases on a fixed fee or upon such other contractual arrange- ment as may be agreed upon. Under such an arrangement, it is assumed that the contracting attorneys would work out of their own offices and provide their own support facilities as may be required. my best estimate'would be that this will involve approximately 1,000 cases during this next year for martin County; over 2,600 cases for St. Lucie County; and, over 1,200 cases for Indian River County. At an estimated cost of approximately $350 per case, the fiscal impact becomes virtually prohibitive. Alternative No. 4: Employment by the county through their County Attorney's Office of two attorneys in Martin County; three attorneys in St. Lucie County; and, two attorneys by Indian River County with these attorneys assigned to work out of our offices would provide an alternative solution. Law school grad- uates not yet admitted to The Florida Bar can be util- ized as long as they serve under our supervision and can be employed at a salary of approximately $1,425 per month. Attorneys recently admitted to the Bar with relatively little experience can also be hired at $1,890 per month. These are the salary ranges that have currently been utilized by my office and are generally considered to be reasonable. Each of our offices involved currently have adequate space to house these attorneys, and we would attempt to provide the necessary support facilities including secretarial services and necessary furniture and equipment. Under this alternative, the total cost to the counties would be between $34,200 and $45,360 each for martin and Indian River County for this next year, plus the necessary matching funds for fringe benefits, etc., as are required for all coun- ty employees. The cost for St. Lucie County for the next 12 months would be between $51,300 and $68,040, plus necessary matching funds. Should either of the counties elect this alternative, we would continue to assist by maintaining our current recruitment practices in order to obtain the most qualified individuals avail- able and would provide all necessary supervision. We currently have one attorney in martin County, two at- torneys in St. Lucie County, and two attorneys in In- dian River County available for such employment and have numerous other resumes from qualified individuals pending at the present time. Although Alternative No. 4 is obviously the most economical solution to this long-range problem, the ultimate decision will have to be made by each of the Boards of County Commissioners. Should they choose not to take any action at this time, my only alternative is to proceed under Alternative No. 2. EHS:rb 61 BOOK 64 F',1r 755 I