County discusses alternate public defender contract and rising outside indigent defense costs; advertising planned

Boone County officials discussed a possible replacement or re-solicitation of the county’s alternate public defender contract on May 1, saying the current part‑time contract pays $34,500 and that market hourly rates for appointed private counsel have risen.

Becky (county staff) said she, the public defender’s office and State’s Attorney Tricia reviewed indigent defense costs and the county’s alternate public defender contract with Attorney Pat Braun, who currently is the contracted alternate and is paid $34,500. The board heard that two years ago the county increased the hourly rate paid to appointed outside defenders and that an alternate who declined a contract could instead bill at the higher hourly rate (up to $150 per hour) as an appointed attorney.

Kate (Public Defender) and Tricia (State’s Attorney) told the board the position was advertised with a salary up to $50,000 to attract applicants who would accept juvenile abuse and neglect cases (the more complex matters that typically require two attorneys and higher hourly pay). The county expects applicants to be reviewed by the 17th Judicial Circuit assistant and Chief Judge Tobin; the court, not the county, makes the final selection for contract appointment.

Becky said the job posting closed in early May and that the court will inform county staff of any selection; board members asked staff to monitor expenses for outside counsel and the budgetary implications of hiring a higher-paid contracted alternate.

Ending: No formal contract was approved at the meeting; staff will return with results of the hiring advertisement and any recommended contract terms or cost impacts.