MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
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Approval of Interlocal Agreement with King County, Office of Public Defense, for Public Defender Indigent Screening Services in the Amount of $14,301 for the 2019 - 2020 Biennium
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Approve the attached Interlocal Agreement with the King County Office of Public Defense for indigent screening services of Redmond defendants.
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Maxine Whattam, Chief Operating Officer; 425-556-2310
Michelle M. Hart, MMC, City Clerk; 425-556-2190
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
For the past several years, the City of Redmond has partnered with the King County Office of Public Defense to provide indigent screening services for Redmond District Court Defendants. Office of Public Defense staff screen defendants on behalf of Redmond for income requirements making them eligible for public defender services during their court proceedings. Providing these services is a requirement of state law and the process of public defense.
Redmond renegotiated the agreement in 2016 at the request of King County when the county removed on-site screening services from the King County Courthouse - East Division, and moved these services to a telephonic format. Defendants now call into the screener to determine eligibility. The 2016 agreement is expiring and the City must renew its Interlocal prior the end of 2018 in order to continue these services.
The cost of services is reduced in the new agreement from the previous $1000 per month to $596 per month ($7,152/yr; $14,304 for the biennium). Per King County Code, the rate is based on the full cost of recovery for 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 rate is based on the County’s proposed budget for the 2019-2020 biennium and staff does not expect that this rate will change. The reduction is a result of a reduction in the factors noted above.
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
November 27, 2018 Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee of the Whole
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
Approval of this agreement will continue legally-required screening services.
B. Fiscal Note:
Funding for this service is provided through the General Fund, Criminal Justice Services budget.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Council could choose not to approve the Interlocal Agreement. An alternative method of providing the services would have to be determined.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
The current agreement expires December 31, 2018.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Interlocal Agreement