LISA HOBBS - News Editor
Warren County Commission approved a proposed resolution by District Attorney Matt Colvard to impose a $12.50 charge to individuals convicted of crimes in this county, both misdemeanors and felonies.
“We have a supplemental funding source that is currently authorized by the state,” stated Colvard, during Monday night’s meeting. “It’s called an Economic Crime Fund. It’s a $75 court cost levied on all economic crimes. A hot check, a worthless check, thefts, fraud. Anything that’s economic crime related, they can be assessed a $75 court cost. That money is then used by the district attorney’s office to fight economic crime. That money can only be used towards combatting economic crime.”
As of 2025, the state legislature authorized another supplemental funding source that cannot be used in coordination with ECF.
“It replaces the Economic Crime Fund. This is simply referred to as a 1250 fund, because no one has thought about a catcher name for it so far. It places a $12.50 court costs on all misdemeanors and felonies that are convicted in the courts of the counties that pass this resolution.”
The resolution required a super majority, at least 2/3 of the legislative body, to vote in favor of replacing the ECF with the 1250 Fund. Colvard stated that the $12.50 assessment is levied on individuals who plead guilty, are found guilty at trial or if they agree to have charges dismissed upon payment of court costs.
“Instead of being limited to the money being used for economic crimes, the money can be used for anything: drugs, violent crimes, anything. A big distinction is, and I don’t think we are in danger of this, so it’s just an example, we have two employees who are county employees who are paid for by federal grant through the Office of Criminal Justice Programs and the Department of Justice. I don’t see that going away. If it were to go away and we had enough money in the 1250 Fund, we could continue to pay those people. Where is, right now, I can’t do that with Economic Crime Funds.”
While the exact amount of additional funding would likely be difficult to calculate at this time, Colvard stated that the counties that have adopted the 1250 Fund have seen an increase in the amount of monies collected.
“It’s easier to collect $12.50 on everyone, rather than $75 on people who are writing worthless checks. That’s the main reason that I’m here. If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.
The resolution passed unanimously 21-0. Commissioner Chris Rippy abstained. Absent from the meeting were Commissioners Christy Ross and Gary Prater.
The District Attorney’s Office also covers Van Buren County, which Colvard says will be his next stop.