TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Brooke Buckingham |
Human Services Manager |
TITLE:
title
Approval of the Indigency Screening Agreement Renewal
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City of Redmond contracts with the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) for indigent screening services for Redmond defendants, in order to determine income eligibility for Public Defender representation. The current agreement expires December 31, 2025. A new agreement would extend services through 2026. Staff is requesting Council’s approval to provide the Mayor authority to approve this agreement.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
RCW 10.101.020 and RCW 10.101.030 (Determination of indigency); Council approval is required for Interlocal Agreements.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
The City of Redmond contracts with the King County Department of Public Defense to provide indigent screening services for Redmond District Court defendants. Department of Public Defense staff screen defendants to determine income eligibility requirements for public defender services. Providing these services is a requirement of state law and the process of public defense. The amount of the contract is based on the cost to King County of providing the service and includes the salary and benefits of the screening staff, their supervision, and King County overhead necessary to provide the service. The cost allocation to the City is based on the historical average of screenings conducted per month. The proposed contract for 2026 would be $336 per month, an increase of 10% from 2025. Language has been added to the agreement to designate renewal authority to the Mayor if there are no substantive changes to the terms.
OUTCOMES:
Entering into this agreement allows the City to provide for required indigency screening services. This has also been more cost effective than having City staff provide this service.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$4032
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000276
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
King County calculates the City’s costs based on average number of screenings per month which is proportionately shared with other participating cities
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
11/3/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
No meetings proposed |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The current Agreement expires on December 31, 2025. To continue these services for 2026, a new agreement must be adopted prior to that date.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The City would not be able to provide the required legal service to Redmond defendants after the expiration date of the current agreement and would need to seek alternatives to providing these services.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Memorandum of Agreement Between King County and the City of Redmond Relating to Indigency Screening Services