Public Defenders Office contract ready for approval

Hays County is finally prepared to sign on the dotted line for a Public Defenders Office.

The commissioners will discuss and take possible action on Tuesday to authorize the County Judge to execute an agreement between Hays County and Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS), Inc. regarding the operation of a public defenders office in Hays County.

The county has agreed to pay the contractor $11,282,910, or $2,256,582 annually for indigent defense. According to the agenda item, $5 million of the contract amount will be funded through ARPA allocation, and the remaining amount will need to be incorporated in the next budget cycle.