College Place approves interim indigent defense contract with Rebecca Lemons

The College Place City Council on March 25 adopted Resolution 25-027 to permit the mayor to sign an interim indigent defense agreement with attorney Rebecca Lemons that will let her complete pending cases during a 90-day transition period.

City staff explained the contract arose from a staffing transition in local indigent defense: an outgoing attorney retained a substantial caseload as a new public defender took over, and staff feared an abrupt transfer could push the new defender over caseload limits imposed by public-defense requirements. Mr. Ferguson, city staff, said the arrangement lets Lemons finish as many cases as she can for a 90-day period and binds her to the same standards as the prior contract while the city executes a new, limited agreement.

Ferguson told the council the contract would pay Lemons $5.50 per case during the 90-day period and that the requested authorization could be up to $55,000 to cover anticipated costs. Council members asked about timing; Council Member Boyle asked whether the 90 days had already begun, and staff responded that the 90-day period was near its end, saying “It's gonna be over in about 6 days.”

Council Member Jessup moved to adopt Resolution 25-027 to permit the mayor to sign the indigent defense contract with Rebecca Lemons; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with the ayes prevailing and no recorded opposition.

Staff and council members also noted a broader statewide concern: public defense capacity is under strain in many jurisdictions, and the city will monitor developments and communicate updates as they are available. The contract is a short-term measure aimed at avoiding immediate caseload transfer problems while the city adjusts representation arrangements.