2026-04-13-minutes-quarterly-update-with-public-defense-director

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1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 10:00 AM APRIL 13, 2026 Board members present: Vice-Chairman Brett Wachsmith; and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Excused: Chairman Wright. Others: Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Eileen Murphy, Director of Public Defense. CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE SPECIAL MEETING PUBLIC DEFENSE DIRECTOR UPDATE COMMISSIONERS At 10:00 A.M. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Special Meeting with the Director of Public Defense, Eileen Murphy. The Public Defense team is responsible for managing cases in the County as well as all City municipalities. Ms. Murphy reviewed the caseloads that she and her team are currently working on as well as the projection for the remainder of the year. Ms. Murphy shared that the overall felony case numbers are down from last year, however, the charges are significant for the current active cases including 6 murder charges. She went on to say the Misdemeanor case numbers are up with a considerable amount of them being in the Upper County. Ms. Murphy reported that her office has been awarded approximately $250,000 in grant funding for 2026. She also noted that her staff completed all grant applications for consideration in 2027. They are awaiting a $75,000 contract payment from the City of Ellensburg for Public Defense services. Ms. Murphy will be bringing on 3 staff members, two Attorneys and one Legal Secretary between June and July to help with the caseload requirements brought forth through legislation. Due to limited space in the Public Defense office, she is working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office to obtain office space in their building for the Lawyers. Ms. Murphy communicated that her office has instituted an “After Hours” call line to provide legal assistants to potential defendants when arrest is imminent. Call volume has increased as knowledge of this resource becomes known.