[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6262371,"mediaKeyId","3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e","parentId",3115384,"title","Commissioners create Franklin County Department of Corrections, appoint interim jail administrator amid heated public comment","audioSeconds",5069,"startMs",1227000,"endMs",6296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e&start=1227&end=6296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e/thumbnail_1227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262371/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-create-Franklin-County-Department-of-Corrections-appoint-interim-jail-administrator-amid-heated-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262371-7e939d2bbff7697eaae1ac9904cb3319/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128686&Signature=oSMR98FkKysJw4NGHCZuNl6-3cGNXcaWU7mSkOQyx9w6WB-bzkcvPoIm3zCWGBJGpd6DUBeNptvUZE8GRytBEb1vgmCMZsmizgJ5NhqGdRVVEx3CMglVxFjCS7YPfC~wZyJ2H5X4MjcIMhSl5ZrvipENZn~kiosBd5jUpRdMeaquzUAjWw~sTViv-n-xyDQqjOKdVcyyZdBpTFRYR7MMZGF4LuwBFYvNRj5Vzg4Iokqb91yUI2kkg4KFwGP7Xhh17gxEEpWOOumEW4um8WCioLvZPINTwWZasestLPRn6wl1K1HxtOJVAm2v9RuDDcGrI-5XJJEDtw5jpn-7Sb5Anw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-04-25T00:28:51.35Z","article","Franklin County commissioners voted on April 23, 2025, to create a stand-alone Franklin County Department of Corrections under resolution 2025-132 and to appoint Commander Keelan Harmon as interim jail administrator. The actions followed presentations by county staff, two hours of public comment, and an extended executive session.

County Administrator Brian Denzel introduced resolution 2025-132, saying the change “would create a stand alone Franklin County Department of Corrections. It does not call for staffing cuts and does not change any of the current agreements in place as it pertains to daily rates.” The board voted to approve the resolution by voice vote.

The nut graf: The change transfers oversight of the jail from the sheriff’s office to the board through a newly created department. That shift prompted extensive public comment from the sheriff, jail staff and community members who raised operational and safety concerns, inventory and equipment questions, and potential accreditation impacts.

During the public comment period, Sheriff Jim Raymond said county-owned and sheriff-held equipment and personnel commissions would be affected by the transfer. “They will be removed and my commission cards will be pulled from the jail staff,” the sheriff said, and he warned the board the actions could affect accreditation.

Multiple corrections staff and former staff spoke at the meeting describing operational risks during a rapid transition. A former employee and commenters with corrections experience urged the board to allow more time to plan. One former corrections employee said a rushed transfer “is going to be operations greatly affected by this.” Tim Davidson, a Pasco resident and corrections veteran, warned of increased taxpayer expense if the transition proceeds without planning. Jesus Garcia, a corrections deputy, told the board that the county’s correctional training differs from basic law enforcement training and asked why staff were not briefed earlier.

City of Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano and Deputy Chief Cook attended and said the city was ready to help maintain continuity of public safety operations and urged coordination while an interlocal agreement is being negotiated.

After public comment, the board amended the agenda to add a vote offering Commander Keelan Harmon the interim jail administrator position and then appointed him. County administration asked permission to negotiate an out-of-scope pay adjustment for Harmon and to return with a contract at the next meeting; commissioners approved that direction.

Later in the meeting, the board voted to direct the prosecuting attorney’s office to file injunctive relief in court to enforce the board’s actions “unless the sheriff immediately complies,” a motion made by a commissioner and approved by the board. Commissioners said the injunction directive was intended to ensure a “smooth transfer” for public safety, staff safety and inmate safety and to secure needed equipment for the jail during the transition.

The board recessed the meeting and scheduled follow-up work to finalize transition details. County staff and commissioners said they would present contract and operational details in forthcoming meetings. The meeting record shows no immediate staffing reductions, but several public speakers urged a slower, more consultative handoff to avoid operational disruption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/23/2025 Franklin County, WA Board of County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Franklin County commissioners voted on April 23, 2025, to create a stand-alone Franklin County Department of Corrections under resolution 2025-132 and to appoint Commander Keelan Harmon as interim jail administrator.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5109,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262377,"Commissioners transfer Public Safety Building security oversight to county board",94,1147000,1241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e&start=1147&end=1241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e/thumbnail_1147000.jpg","/articles/6262377/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-transfer-Public-Safety-Building-security-oversight-to-county-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262377-95180bfc92d2c147cc6a8481c4c40020/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128686&Signature=AV~5ktrmUPMQBW0k0rK-iX8MTbudknLh1C733pHlP9PvtQ183g5lxUxgEuoGrKshircfYAnh6oPGQrVWqJEXDNU~9T95ABapim0ZY0bIm3hUBamNKfppQB0NKFCnP4B~jfpKnekwQPIoUK4L0Tn8dBlU-Z4CZrY0HAFqBvY~69D8YFbqqp9giy~CLnFL-vk7wp4KDghTObLPnFnmP4LQwEhSbngzOSqUEBesvTAZ2dNPrLAzWzh7TEZEcCBy7FfplwXIMxFnk9pFxkEOp7gM~nJsN9us12AwQOFVJYcXsOZGiK4P-oC6nubyl~oxNrfeZJpvrhdIzOxquEFSfOThpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt resolution 2025-131 on April 23, 2025, transferring security operations at the county’s Public Safety Building from the sheriff’s office to the Board of County Commissioners.

Brian Denzel, the county administrator, told the board the resolution would shift oversight and that “the Board of Commissioners has the authority to make this decision.” He also said the county has a contractor on standby to staff security if the board chose to act immediately.

The nut graf: The transfer moves responsibility for security operations from the sheriff’s office to the elected county board; commissioners said the change is within the board’s authority and voted to approve the resolution without further discussion.

Commissioners offered no public questions after the presentation and moved to a voice vote; the board approved the resolution. County staff said current staffing arrangements and interlocal agreements would remain in effect as changes are implemented.

No specific contract terms, contractor name, or transition timeline were provided in the hearing. Commissioners stated the change was an administrative reallocation of oversight; any operational details and staffing contingencies were left to county staff to finalize.","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to transfer security operations at the Public Safety Building from the sheriff’s office to the Board of County Commissioners under resolution 2025-131; the board said a contractor is on standby as a contingency.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262383,"Commissioners approve land-use resolution 2025-0129 with traffic study condition",313,701000,1014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e&start=701&end=1014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115384-52701eebfec133e5d9b879cfce406e6e/thumbnail_701000.jpg","/articles/6262383/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-land-use-resolution-2025-0129-with-traffic-study-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262383-f1f4f8083b7d27b628a07616aef6c8dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128686&Signature=WTu2dSzlGxhqw~v9xOvsXByKNcfvku0ad7aikIrsoIFjMbVf6hmx-Co8oKjnWmtU8wZ~6Quu33E6RixriLXdqifGm~pGvtOE~B8JFUi308B3XCeBpIs4KQYAWPLVxKm-6vpHZtKcfUPrTuFhm9RiTjmLEi5zmi6IUf0VmhqStPZ7ANmYlBlvY-rQNJyC2cbQUdn6iwOdrX3eOcQZRv~EsQ-jOyr41u5goKHTG5GGY8f7TZ8JOEzr4S-IlzUhBYl4-FT7DudCir~X2~oqbHYrxu8tgoacimy~J6EKvl-g1qgDXuBIDxTg6V3K3mpK-cwI-4~eZuI3exPNEFFKJPrQsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners voted to approve resolution 2025-0129 in a closed-record hearing on April 23, 2025, approving an application from an applicant identified in the hearing as Mr. Vandermuller with conditions that include a traffic impact analysis and any required road upgrades or mitigation fees.

The condition requires a traffic impact analysis “to evaluate the current condition of the road and future impacts with the increased traffic to the road,” Craig Erdmann, the county’s public works director, told commissioners during the hearing. He said the study will assess “the condition of the sub base and base, and surface condition of the road and the impacts that future traffic will have to the deterioration of that road.”

The nut graf: The study requirement means the county will determine whether the applicant must contribute to repairs or upgrades before final project approvals. Commissioners discussed that mitigation or upgrade obligations would be negotiated after the county receives the traffic analysis results and could be memorialized in an agreement between the county and the applicant.

Commissioners opened the closed-record hearing with county staff and the applicant present, asked whether any commissioner had ex parte communications or needed to recuse themselves, and confirmed they had reviewed the record. After brief questions about item 9 in the proposed conditions of approval, the board voted to adopt the resolution. One commissioner complimented staff on the report’s thoroughness before the board took the vote.

The action does not specify the exact technical criteria for the traffic analysis; Craig Erdmann said the mitigation would be “determined after we receive the results from this study.” Commissioners and county staff indicated the resulting mitigation would be negotiated as part of permitting and could allocate responsibility between the county and the applicant.

The closed-record hearing was then closed and the meeting proceeded to other business.","Franklin County commissioners voted to approve resolution 2025-0129 in a closed-record hearing, imposing a required traffic impact analysis and potential mitigation or upgrades as conditions of approval for the applicant’s proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners create Franklin County Department of Corrections, appoint interim jail administrator amid heated public comment

Commissioners transfer Public Safety Building security oversight to county board

Commissioners approve land-use resolution 2025-0129 with traffic study condition