# Wichita Approves $634,000 Public Defense Contract

The Wichita City Council unanimously approved a one-year contract worth more than $634,000 with Hartenstein Poor & Foster LLC to provide public defense for defendants unable to afford counsel in Wichita Municipal Court, beginning in November 2026. The price is 57% higher than the prior contract and about $56,500 above the court’s 2026 contractual-services budget. City staff will review possible budget adjustments, and annual renewals would include increases of nearly 3%.

- The contract illustrates the budget impact of municipal legal-services procurements: the approved price exceeds the court’s current contractual-services allocation, prompting a budget review.
- Firms assessing similar municipal public-defense work can use the award and planned renewal increases as local pricing context; the reported contract is already approved, not an open solicitation.
- Procurement and budget staff should account for the November 2026 start, the one-year term, and potential renewal escalators when planning funding for indigent-defense services.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- City of Wichita
- Wichita Municipal Court

### Vendors
- Hartenstein Poor & Foster LLC (Awardee)

### Key Quotes
> We work collaboratively with behavioral health and social services agencies. Our goal is to leverage community resources to help people improve their lives and avoid future legal problems.
> — Sarah Foster, Member

> Our firm is uniquely positioned to serve this community.
> — Scott Poor, Managing Member

### Sources
- [Wichita City Council unanimously approved the contract with Hartenstein Poor & Foster LLC during its regular meeting on Tuesday.

STORY | https://t.co/i4rLF7kKnk https://t.co/Ciy2O7saCe](https://x.com/KSNNews/status/2110142168493089231) - twitter-sled