To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Public Defender

Initiator

Finance Department

Recommendation

Approve agreement for Indigent Defense Services between Circuit Public Defender \n \n Office of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and Muscogee County in the amount \n \n of $982,903 from July 2005 to June 2006; authorize Mayor to have signature \n \n authority.

Approval

Approved

Background

The Circuit Public Defender will provide public defender personnel in Superior

and Juvenile Court in consideration of an administrative fee of 10%

($59,794). 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 FY06

budget. In the contract, the prorated share of costs are outlined as

follows: Muscogee - $982,903; Chattahoochee - $3,200; Harris - $60,000;

Marion - $8,000; Talbot - $9,600; Taylor - $11,200 for a total of

$1,074,903. Adjustments to the budget will be forthcoming when all

contracts have been finalized with the other counties. 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 $59,794 is included in the FY06 budget along with

personnel and operating costs of $982,903. 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 agreement for Indigent Defense Services between Circuit Public Defender

Office of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and Muscogee County in the amount

of $982,903 from July 2005 to June 2006; authorize Mayor to have signature

authority.

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