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01/12/2026 MINUTES 1 <br />COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING <br />MONDAY 10:00 AM January 12, 2026 <br />Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett <br />Wachsmith; and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. <br />Others: Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Eileen Murphy, Director <br />of Public Defense. <br /> <br /> CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE SPECIAL MEETING: PUBLIC DEFENSE DIRECTOR UPDATE COMMISSIONERS <br />At 10:00 A.M. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Special Meeting with the <br />Director of Public Defense, Eileen Murphy. The Public Defense team <br />is responsible for managing cases in the County as well as all City <br />municipalities. Ms. Murphy reviewed the caseloads that she and her <br />team are currently working on as well as the projection for the <br />remainder of the year. <br /> <br />Ms. Murphy shared that the felony cases in 2025 numbered 281, which <br />is down approximately 50 cases from 2024. That combined with <br />criminal and misdemeanor charges accounted for about 282 cases per <br />Attorney. Due to the Supreme Court ruling, Attorney will only be <br />allowed to carry 139 cases in 2026. <br /> <br />Ms. Murphy went on to state that she has spoken with Derek Young at <br />Washington State Association of Counties (W.S.A.C>), concerning the <br />challenges this ruling has created for rural communities. Mr. Young <br />has asked Ms. Murphy to participate in Legislative discussions <br />regarding this. <br /> <br />Ms. Murphy also explained that her office has been asked to <br />participate in cases or assist clients with situations that are <br />outside of their parameters and could cause hardship for her staff <br />in the future. She has requested Board permission to draft a <br />Resolution that will define the roles, guidelines, and establish <br />parameters for the staff of the Office of Public Defense. <br /> <br /> OTHER BUSINESS - NONE <br />The meeting concluded at 10:34 A.M. <br /> <br />