TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Christine Briceño, Director of Human Resources
REPORT BY: Joy Cadiz, Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Appointment of Napa County Public Defender
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution appointing Kristen Keeley as the Napa County Public Defender effective June 22, 2024, to serve at the will of the Board of Supervisors. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
California Government Code section 27700 provides that the Board of Supervisors of any County may establish an Office of the Public Defender for the defense of indigent persons accused of committing state criminal offenses in Napa County. Further code sections outline the specific responsibilities and qualifications of the Public Defender and the Office (27701-27712).
In 1987, in accordance with California Government Code, Napa County created the Office of the Public Defender and established that the position of the Public Defender would be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Napa County Code section 2.08.040 (C) (e) (f) provides that the County Executive Officer shall recommend to the Board of Supervisors, for its consideration and appointment, qualified candidates to fill vacancies for Board-appointed department head positions. As a non-elected department head, the Public Defender is appointed by, and serves at the will of, the Board of Supervisors.
Ronald Abernethy will retire as the County’s second Public Defender on June 21, 2024. The County Executive Officer and Director of Human Resources recommend that Kristen Keeley be appointed as Napa County’s new Public Defender.
Keeley began her career with Napa County during the summer of 1997 as a volunteer law student. During the summer of 1998 she was a contract employee. In October of 1999 she was hired as an extra help Paralegal. On November 23, 1999, she was admitted to the State Bar of California. In May of 2000, Keeley began her professional legal career as an Attorney I with the Public Defender, where she promoted through the attorney ranks. Keeley has served in her current role as Napa County’s Assistant Public Defender since May of 2020.
Keeley earned her bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University, and her juris doctor from the University of California College of the Law San Francisco, formerly University of California Hastings.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
13200-00 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appointment at Step 5 of the pay scale; annual salary and benefits total approximately $374,350 and subject to various annual cost increases will be appropriated in the Public Defender Fund. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.