Title
Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts, recommending the Board approve the following:
1) Approve an agreement for the provision of conflict indigent defense services with El Dorado Law, A Professional Law Corporation, in the base amount of $972,554 for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management. (Cont. 6/14/16, Item 45)
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Agreement.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On April 19, 2016, the Board awarded RFP No. 16-918-039 for the provision of conflict indigent defense services to El Dorado Law and authorized the CAO to negotiate a contract.
Historically, the County has held contracts with multiple local, private attorneys, known as the "Conflict Panel," to provide these services. Under the proposed contract, El Dorado Law will use all the current panel attorneys and coordinate their services on both slopes as subcontractors. El Dorado Law will be responsible for caseload and data reporting and coordination of requests for ancillary services and additional compensation for trials exceeding three weeks, unusual cases, and capital cases. The proposal provides for 11 attorneys (8 on the West Slope and 3 on the East Slope) and two administrative staff. The proposed base contract cost is $972,554, plus ancillary costs and compensation for unusual or extended cases and capital cases.
The contract includes $67,766 for operational, administrative, and investigative services, and provides for flat monthly attorney compensation at two different rates. Attorneys that handle felony and misdemeanor cases are paid $7,527 monthly and attorneys that handle only misdemeanors are paid $5,060 monthly. This is approximately a 15% increase in attorney compensation over the current contracts. The last increase in attorney compensation was in 2013.
ALTERNATIVES
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. The funding for this Agreement is included in the FY 2016-17 Recommended Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety, Good Governance
CONTACT
Sue Hennike x5577