The city of Bainbridge Island is extending its public defender contract.

City Manager Doug Schulze told the city council Monday that recent changes made by the state for the number of cases a public defender can handle will necessitate changes by the city.

“In order to work those issues out, we felt it was best to extend this (contract) at this time, until we have that information laid out,” Schulze said, and included in a new agreement.

The current contract with the Law Offices of Thomas S. Alpaugh is scheduled to expire May 31. If approved by the council next week during its regular business meeting, the new contract will be extended through Dec. 31.

The city will work with the law office in the meantime to implement the recent state changes into a renewed contract.