Council approves higher pay for public defense appearances as budget review continues

The Sunset City Council approved a professional services agreement to raise compensation for the public defense attorney as part of ongoing budget preparations.

City Manager Nicole told council members that the request originated with the public defense attorney, who asked for pay closer to regional minimums. “Currently, we pay $95, per appearance,” Nicole said, and she presented a proposed increase intended to move the city closer to peer jurisdictions. Nicole said the agreement language includes an immediate increase to $130 per appearance and language that provides for a later increase. She also referenced contract language showing additional scheduled adjustments and an extension term: “...first 2026 it does go up to $1.50 per appearance and 55 per post,” she read from the draft agreement, and later cited contract timing that includes an adjustment noted in the agreement for 01/31/2028.

Council members discussed options including issuing an RFP if the council wanted to solicit other proposals. Nicole said the judge had told her he found current services adequate for the city's caseload. Staff also noted budget context: the account that pays these services is budgeted at $23,000 and had used about $11,000 so far in the fiscal year.

After discussion, the council moved and seconded approval of the agreement; the motion passed on a voice vote with members present voting aye.

Why it matters: increasing defense attorney fees affects the city’s court budget and could influence availability of counsel for municipal cases. The council discussed whether the proposed increases match regional market rates and whether to solicit other providers via RFP as part of a longer‑term procurement plan.

Provenance: the discussion and vote are recorded in the council meeting transcript in the public defense agenda item.