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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial 2026-01-26 Item 2B- Contract Amendment #2 - 2026 Additional Attorney with Kirschenbaum & Goss for $60,000City of Tukwila Thomas McLeod, Mayor Marty Wine, City Administrator AGENDA BILL ITEM NO. Spec 2.B. Agenda Item Sponsor Legislative History Recommended Motion Amendment to 2025-2026 Contract for Public Defense Services Cheryl Thompson, Executive Coordinator Mayor's Office January 12, 2026 Committee of the Whole January 26, 2026 Special Meeting ❑ Discussion Only ❑x Action Requested MOVE TO Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract amendment with Kirshenbaum & Goss, Inc. P.S. increasing compensation for 2026 in the amount of $60,000 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Public Defense caseload standards have changed effective January 1, 2026. As part of the 2026 Budget Amendment, City Council authorized a $60,000 increase to the contract with Kirshenbaum & Goss, Inc. P.S. to hire an additional attorney to meet the caseload standards. This contract amendment increases the compensation paid to the firm by an additional $5,000 per month, totaling $37,600 per month, in alignment with the budget amendment. DISCUSSION The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires that people accused of serious crimes who cannot afford to pay for private counsel be provided with an attorney. Responsibility for upholding the mandate of the Sixth Amendment lies with the states, although in Washington State this responsibility has been delegated to counties and municipalities that have judicial branches. The City of Tukwila contracts for public defense services to provide legal representation for indigent criminal defendants who qualify for appointment of counsel. In 2025 caseloads have continued to increase. After evaluation of current caseloads in conjunction with the reduction in the number of misdemeanor cases each public defense attorney is now allowed to handle each year, it was determined that an additional attorney was needed. FINANCIAL IMPACT Complete for all items with fiscal implications Disclaimer: Final terms and scope of work subject to review by the City Attorney © Expenditure - Budgeted Expenditures: Fund Source: $60,000 Revenues(if applicable): General Fund • Expenditure - Unbudgeted • Expenditure - Grant -Funded • Revenue — One -Time (e.g. N/A asset sale, surplus equipment) • Revenue - Ongoing Contractor (if applicable) Kirshenbaum & Goss 19 Scope of Work To provide legal representation for indigent criminal defendants who qualify for appointment of counsel. Representation is provided from the time of screening for eligibility through trial, sentencing and appeals to the superior court, if necessary. Amount $60,000 Duration January 1, 2026 — December 31, 2026 Additional Comments: ATTACHMENTS Amendment #2 for Contract No. 24-145 with Kirshenbaum & Goss, Inc. P.S. 20