Lake Tahoe County Jail set to close amid safety concerns and new MOU with Nez Perce

The Moscow City Council meeting on July 7, 2025, focused on the impending closure of the Lake Tahoe County Jail, a topic that has been under discussion for nearly a year. The closure is set to take effect by September 30, 2025, following a fire inspection that revealed necessary corrections to meet fire code standards. The county has determined that the jail requires extensive repairs, making its continued operation unfeasible.

As a result of the closure, the city will need to transport approximately 250 individuals arrested each year to the Nez Perce County Jail. The county has approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that allows the city to utilize a temporary holding facility for court activities during specific hours. This facility will operate from 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and will extend its hours to 6 PM to 2 AM during special events, such as home football games and graduations, when the likelihood of arrests may increase.

The MOU outlines that the county will manage the booking and processing of arrestees during these hours, with the city having minimal obligations under the agreement. However, in cases where an arrestee is combative, direct transport to the Nez Perce facility will be necessary.

City officials expressed disappointment over the jail's closure but acknowledged the collaborative efforts with the county to mitigate the impact on the community and the police department. The county is also exploring plans to develop a new facility for Latah County in the future.

The council members engaged in discussions to clarify the operational details of the MOU, including how the jail's capacity will be adjusted to accommodate only those individuals required for court appearances, thus reducing the overall population housed at the facility. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working together to address the challenges posed by the jail's closure.