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Regular Agenda Item 2. B.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	12/01/2020
Submitted For:	Jonathan Bearup	Submitted By:	Betty Hurst, Contracts Administrator
Department:	Finance
Fiscal Year:	FY 2021	Budgeted?:	Yes
Contract Dates Begin & End:	07-01-21 to 06-30-22	Grant?:	No
Matching Requirement?:	No	Fund?:	New

Information

Request/Subject

Request to Advertise Request for Qualifications No. 111020-Indigent Legal Attorney Services

Background Information

It is the intent of this solicitation to procure legal representation for indigent citizens of Gila County in juvenile dependency cases; probate (guardianship/conservatorship) cases; Guardian ad Litem appointments; and appointments as Best Interest Attorney.

Gila County is responsible for providing legal representation in certain matters to citizens who are found to be indigent. Court Administration is requesting approval to advertise for professional legal services.

Evaluation

At the request of the Presiding Judge, Court Administration was tasked with evaluating the current format for indigent legal counsel in juvenile dependency cases; probate (guardianship/conservatorship) cases; Guardian ad Litem appointments; and appointments as Best Interest Attorney.

The motivations for the evaluation were primarily three-fold: 1) although contracts were developed in 2014 there has never been a procurement of professional legal services according to County policy; 2) Court Administration has a fiduciary responsibility to Gila County to ensure that compensation is fair and accountable; and 3) the current system of indigent defense, which is believed to have been in place for twenty years or so, has never been re-evaluated or otherwise assessed.

An analysis of case filing data, in conjunction with research into current appointment trends, was used to arrive at a new format for the provision of indigent legal services. The proposed format was assessed as being cost-neutral in terms of budgetary impact.

Conclusion

In order to meet the three primary goals stated above, the Court Administration is seeking to advertise for services to align with the new approach.

Recommendation

Staff recommends proceeding with advertising Request for Qualifications No. 111020-Indigent Legal Attorney Services.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to authorize the advertisement for Request for Qualifications No. 111020-Indigent Legal Attorney Services. (Jonathan Bearup)

Attachments
Request to Advertise
RFQ No 111020 Indigent Defense Attorney Services