Committee schedules six indigent-defense conflict-attorney contracts for GLS after budget and oversight questions

The Snohomish County Council’s Community Safety and Justice Committee on Jan. 14 scheduled six contracts with outside attorneys to provide indigent defense conflict counsel for consideration at the General Legislative Session, and council members pressed county staff about contract amendment authority and budget tracking.

Nicole, presenting the items, said the six contracts would cover 2025–2026 calendar years; each motion authorizes the executive to execute the agreements and any subsequent amendments. The staff presentation described the agreements as substantially similar to prior-year contracts, with total not-to-exceed amounts stated as $700,000 per contract (described in the presentation as $350,000 annually).

Councilmember Nehring expressed concern about giving the executive broad authority to amend contracts without more council oversight and asked for a future discussion about contract amendment limits. Jason Schwartz, participating online, said the Office of Public Defense (OPD) had streamlined contract language this year so contractors can work across practice areas without separate amendments. Schwartz explained internal controls for invoice review and caps on hours, and said that while the $350,000 annual figure is a maximum not typically reached, OPD staff review invoices and request case plans when contractors approach high-hour thresholds.

Nicole asked that items 12, 15, 16 and 17 receive expedited handling and be placed on the Jan. 15 GLS consent agenda; items 13 and 14 were moved to the Jan. 22 GLS consent agenda. The committee did not take final action on the contracts at the Jan. 14 meeting; final approval and any recorded votes will occur at the GLS dates listed above.