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Lake Forest Park committee previews contract renewals for municipal judge, prosecutors and public defense; combined increases could affect general fund
Summary
The committee reviewed proposed contract changes on Oct. 16: a recommended extension and FTE increase for Municipal Judge Grant, an increase for the city’s prosecuting attorney, and a new public-defense contract that shifts toward higher per-case costs. Staff estimated the combined near-term impact on the general fund at roughly $100,000.
Lake Forest Park Budget and Finance Committee members reviewed several forthcoming contract renewals and rate changes at their Oct. 16 meeting, including a recommended extension for Municipal Judge Grant, a proposed rate increase for the city’s prosecuting attorney, and a new public-defense contract following a regional shift in standards and pay.
On the municipal judge: the presenter said the city recommends reappointing Municipal Judge Grant and amending her contract to extend the term through 2029 and increase scheduled weekly hours. Currently contracted at 24 hours per week, staff recommended moving Judge Grant to 0.75 FTE (30 hours per week), a 0.15 FTE increase. The presenter said the change would increase costs by just under $35,000 per year; part of the added cost would be charged to the city’s traffic-safety fund (fund 002) with the remainder charged to the general fund. Staff also warned of a statutory threshold: “34 hours is the threshold. You go over 34 hours, it is now an elected position,” the presenter said, explaining why staff planned the 30-hour arrangement rather than a larger increase.
On prosecution and public defense: - Prosecuting attorney: the city said the contract with Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Roberts — in place for more than 20 years and adjusted with COLAs in the past — needs a market adjustment. Staff proposed a $3,200 monthly increase charged to the general fund plus an additional $3,000 monthly allocation to traffic-safety work; the presentation listed a total annual increase of about $74,400. - Public defense: following a recent RFQ, the recommended firm (identified in materials as Stewart and Medical Harnell Incorporated) was selected. Staff said the state Supreme Court’s updated standards and regional wage pressure have driven higher costs. The administration estimated roughly a $50,000 annual impact to the general fund next year as public-defense costs move from a flat monthly fee toward higher per-case compensation. The presenter said the firm is willing to enter a one-year contract given uncertainty in the coming years.
On federal affairs: the committee was told the Johnston Group’s federal advocacy contract is proposed to continue at existing rates for a third cycle, with the consultant agreeing to defer a rate increase until delivering specified results. Staff noted the group’s prior work on a $2 million federal request tied to the community center and an Army Corps study with the City of Shoreline.
Budget impact and next steps: staff estimated the combined, near-term effect of the prosecuting and public-defense changes to be roughly $100,000 of additional obligation to the general fund (plus traffic-safety fund allocations). Staff said the contracts will be returned to the full council for approval later this year; the presenter told the committee the prosecuting attorney and public-defense contracts will likely come to council for approval in December.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about which funds would pay pro tem judges or extra attorney hours, and staff confirmed costs tied to camera- and traffic-safety-related work would be charged to fund 002 where appropriate. No contracts were approved at the committee meeting; the items were informational and scheduled to be routed to council for formal action.
