DAYTON—Columbia County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack will still have a job, in 2017.

The Garfield County Prosecutor, Garfield County Commissioners, Columbia County Commissioners, and the Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney have all stepped up to help secure Slack’s position.

“Rea gave us permission to talk to Garfield County. Everybody wanted to save Dale’s position,” said Columbia County Commissioner Mike Talbot.

Slack will continue to work his normal 35-hour week, with the same pay and benefits, but he will spend three days working in Columbia County, and the other two days working in the Garfield Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Garfield County will pay Columbia County $46,000 per year for his services, according to Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney, Rea Culwell.

Garfield County will also provide for Slack’s training, and pay his dues. Slack will travel to Garfield County to make court appearances, meet with law enforcement officers, and meet with victims and witnesses, said Culwell.

“I’m very happy,” Slack said about retaining his job.

Slack explained that he had two job offers on the west side of the state, but didn’t want to move his wife, Amy, and his six-month-old daughter, Matilda.

Slack said that Culwell circulated a “piteous” plea to other prosecutors, which led to talks with Matt Newberg, the PA for Garfield County, who needed some extra help.

Slack’s position as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Columbia County was in jeopardy in 2017 due to budgetary issues in the PA’s office, according to Culwell. Those issues also resulted in a reduction in hours of operation in the PA’s office.

This week Culwell announced the resumption of normal business hours in the PA office. The office will be open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Culwell is also asking for the public’s patience as her office processes a backlog of records requests and civil matters.