Question of full time prosecutor to face voters April 6

RC Prosecutor Mike Fusselman files for re-election Tuesday morning.

Janet Morales

An issue for a full-time prosecuting attorney will go on the April 6 ballot. The Randolph County Commission says it is time to dedicate an attorney to the job of representing the county.

Mike Fusselman is the current part time prosecuting attorney. He must supplement his income with his own law practice. However, with the demands of the prosecutor’s office, it is often difficult to take on extra cases.

“We have researched this for a year,” said Commissioner Randy Asbury. “It would be more efficient for the county to have a full time prosecutor. We know as commissioners how difficult it is to balance two careers and to be efficient because there’s never a singular focus.”

The prosecutor’s office now has two assistant prosecutors. One of these positions would be eliminated if a full-time position were approved by voters.

The present salary for the part time prosecutor is $69,488.95, with benefits, FICA, worker’s compensation, etc. added, it amounts to $84,259.19. If the job goes full-time, those figures would be $109,366 and $133,647.94 respectively.

Fusselman filed Tuesday to be placed on the August 3 ballot seeking re-election to the prosecutor’s post. Filing continues through March 30.