San Luis approves fixed-fee indigent defense contract with Candace Orduno

The San Luis City Council voted to direct staff to contract with Candace Orduno to provide indigent defense services under a fixed-fee arrangement administered through the city attorneyb4s operational budget.

City attorney Kaye McQuill told the council the change follows an RFP/RFQ, interview process and a recommendation from the municipal judge intended to preserve courtroom impartiality and avoid perceived judicial bias. McQuill said placing contracted indigent defense compensation within the city attorneyb4s budget, rather than the courtb4s, and using a fixed rate would streamline administration and provide predictability over multiple years.

McQuill introduced Orduno and said staff had sufficient budget for the proposal. Court staff estimated last yearb4s caseload at roughly 350 to 400 cases, depending on case type; council members noted increases in filing activity that could affect total costs.

Orduno introduced herself to the council and described her five years of experience providing indigent defense services in the area and the support staff she would bring. The council moved to direct staff to contract with Candace Orduno Krause (appears in the record with variant spellings) for indigent defense services for a flat monthly/annual fee structure with an annual cap stated in the motion as not to exceed $114,000; the motion carried by voice vote.

The contract as discussed would set a flat payment rate to avoid monthly invoicing to the court and would be administered through the city attorneyb4s operational budget. Staff indicated expected caseload ranges during questioning; the council did not specify further contract details at the meeting.