Memorandum
Date: November 18, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Subject: Approve Amendment No. 3 to Agreement to Services Contract Between the County of Lake and William Conwell for Indigent Defense Services and authorize the Board Chair to Sign
Executive Summary:
There has always been the need for contract attorneys in this County. While the Public Defender’s office continues to grow and solidify, we as the County have relied upon experienced local attorneys to act as conflict counsel and to represent defendants in cases that speak to their expertise.
To that end we have had a prolific relationship with William Conwell who has served for over a year as either conflict counsel, or as primary counsel in major felony cases.
The case load has increased since the original agreement was executed in July of 2024. The requested increase of $48,000 will satisfy his current bill and is enough to continue to serve until the agreed upon termination date of December 31st, 2025.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
Approve Amendment No. 3 to Agreement to Services Contract Between the County of Lake and William Conwell for Indigent Defense Services and authorize the Board Chair to Sign.