North Bend council approves negotiations with King County Sheriff's Office for police services

The North Bend City Council meeting on May 6, 2025, focused on a critical decision regarding police services for the city. The council discussed proposals from both the City of Snoqualmie and King County, ultimately moving towards a vote to authorize the mayor to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the King County Sheriff's Office.

During the meeting, council members reviewed staff-scored results of the proposals and engaged in discussions over several previous meetings. The recommended action was to allow the mayor to negotiate with King County for police services, a move that has been in the works for over two years and has involved multiple city administrations.

Council member Gotthalf expressed his concerns about the current situation, emphasizing that his issues were not with the police officers but with the administration of Snoqualmie and the management of contract negotiations. He highlighted the challenges faced during the previous contract with Snoqualmie, including insufficient staffing and a lack of meaningful engagement in the selection of police leadership. Gotthalf noted that the current contract proposal from King County differs significantly from past agreements, suggesting that it could provide better service for North Bend.

Council member Jocelyn supported the motion, acknowledging the importance of the decision and the efforts made by the council. He reassured the community that if he believed contracting with King County would compromise safety, he would not support it. Jocelyn referenced positive testimonials from other cities that have partnered with King County, indicating a commitment to public safety.

The council's decision to move forward with negotiations marks a significant step in addressing the city's public safety needs. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched by residents and stakeholders as North Bend seeks to ensure effective police services for its community.