Redmond seeks renewal of King County public defense screening agreement; small annual cost increase noted

Summary

City staff proposed renewing the contract with King County for public defense screening, saying the county screening arrangement is more cost‑effective for identifying eligibility. Staff noted a roughly 10% monthly cost increase and an annual cost figure shown as $4,000 in the packet, and asked for consent placement (Nov. 18 or Dec. 2).

City staff requested council approval to renew the city's contract with King County for public defense screening and eligibility determination for indigent defense. Brooke explained the county provides screening to determine eligibility for public defenders and that the intergovernmental arrangement is more cost‑effective and efficient than the city performing screening in‑house.

Brooke said the packet shows a small cost increase (described in the meeting as a roughly 10% increase in monthly cost) and referenced a total annual cost figure of $4,000. The renewed agreement includes a provision that grants the mayor authority to renew the contract administratively in subsequent years if there are no substantive changes.

Council asked for a memo or email describing how recent caseload‑standard rulings may affect demand and whether the agreement or future budgets will need to increase to meet evolving standards; staff said caseload standards had not yet driven an increase in clients but agreed to add the topic to the work plan and provide briefing material.

Staff requested placement on either the Nov. 18 or Dec. 2 consent agenda; the committee raised no objection.