Commission approves hiring contract for new public defender and corrects prior contract error

Davis County commissioners approved a personnel contract May 5 to hire Ryan Blake as a public defender and approved a small amendment to correct a prior contract error.

Todd Ottzinger, presenting for human resources, said the contract with Ryan Blake takes effect May 15 and runs through Dec. 31, 2027; the annual payable amount is $143,863.20, prorated for the remainder of 2026. Ottzinger said Blake will replace a defender who left on short notice and that he was selected from a strong applicant pool.

Ottzinger also requested an amendment to a contract with current defender Rich Gallegos to correct an incorrect amount first entered in 2025; the amendment fixes a small underpayment (about $240) so the defender is paid correctly going forward. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved items 22 and 23 by voice vote.

The hire and correction were approved without a recorded roll‑call tally in the transcript; staff will finalize paperwork and proceed with onboarding and payroll corrections.