}

Agenda Item #3

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

6/20/2006

To
Mayor and Council
Subject
Public Defender Contract
Initiator
Finance Department
Recommendation
Approval is requested to enter into a agreement for Indigent Defense Services \n \n between Circuit Public Defender Office of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit \n \n and Muscogee County in the amount of $1,037,642 from July 2006 to June 2007; \n \n authorize Mayor to have signature authority. \n \n
Approval
Approved
Background
The Circuit Public Defender will provide public defender personnel in Superior

and Juvenile Court in consideration of an administrative fee of 7% ($47,433).

These services include: payroll, fringe benefits, training, travel, computer

hardware, computer software and legal research software. Additional support

staff and operational expenses are funded in the FY07 budget. In the

contract, the prorated share of costs are outlined as follows: Muscogee -

$1,037,642; Chattahoochee - $3,341; Harris - $64,660; Marion - $9,041; Talbot -

$10,220; Taylor - $12,480 for a total of $1,137,384. Muscogee County

acts as the fiscal agent for the Circuit Public Defender.
Analysis
This contract has been reviewed by the Circuit Public Defender, City Attorney's

Office and the Finance Department and is recommended for approval.
Financial Considerations
The administrative fee of $47,433 is included in the FY07 budget along with

personnel and operating costs of $1,037,642. After all contracts are finalized

from all the counties, a future budget adjustment will be forwarded to

Council.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to enter into this contract.
Recommendations/ Actions
Approve an agreement for Indigent Defense Services between Circuit Public

Defender Office of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and Muscogee County in

the amount of $1,037,642 from July 2006 to June 2007; authorize Mayor to have

signature authority.

Back to List