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Snohomish County Council approves $447,697 supplemental appropriation for public defense
Summary
The Snohomish County Council on March 25 approved Ordinance 26-008, adding $447,697 to the 2025–2026 budget for the Office of Public Defense after staff said the county received excess state indigent defense funds; the measure passed 4-0 with no public testimony.
The Snohomish County Council approved Ordinance 26-008 on March 25, adding $447,697 to the 2025–2026 biannual budget for the Office of Public Defense.
Nicole Gourley, council staff, told the council that "the amount of funding the county received from the Washington State Indigent Defense Improvement Fund exceeded the estimated amount adopted in the budget by $447,697," and that the ordinance would add the necessary revenue and expenditure authority to the current budget.
The funding was described as an unanticipated excess from the Washington State Indigent Defense Improvement Fund. Gourley told the council the county expects another award from the same fund in June and that a further supplemental appropriation request will be brought forward at that time.
After staff presentation and a public-testimony period in which no speakers came forward either in person or remotely, Vice Chair Loh moved to approve the ordinance and Chair Dunne seconded the motion. The council then conducted a roll call vote: Vice Chair Loh, Council Member Nehring, Council Member Mead and Chair Dunne voted yes. The ordinance passed 4-0.
The ordinance adds the one-time revenue and spending authority to accept and use the state funds for indigent defense services in the current biannual budget; no amendments or conditions were recorded during the council action. The council adjourned following the vote.
