CAIRO, Ga. — Grady County soon will have a new assistant district attorney to handle juvenile court matters at no cost to taxpayers following a vote by the board of commissioners.

District Attorney Joe Mulholland stated in a letter to the county commission that the South Georgia Circuit was awarded a juvenile prosecutor by the state legislature.

Mulholland said the legislature’s decision means his office is now in the position to handle juvenile duties in Grady County at no expense to taxpayers.

County Administrator Buddy Johnson said the move will allow the county to free up budget constraints in the area where funds are currently being used to employ outside counsel for the same position.

Currently, the county pays solicitor general Charles Ferenchick to handle juvenile court matters.

Johnson requested the transition to the new assistant DA occur April 1 and continue until the position is vacated or abolished.

The county administrator said Ferenchick will continue to perform his duties as solicitor general after the transition has occurred.

Johnson added that the county reserves the right to retract the offer in the future “if the Grady Count Commission deems it necessary for the betterment of its community and the citizens it serves.”

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Mulholland stated in a letter to Johnson and the commissioners that he believed the move would help keep Grady County safe.

“As always, I value the relationship with my office and the Commission in making sure that we are all keeping our community safe,” Mulholland said. “I truly think this would be a good thing for our area; often career criminals start at a young age and by identifying these offenders early hopefully we can reduce the crime rate in Grady County.”