Council reviews proposed interlocal jail agreement with Lynnwood; item slated for consent agenda after review

The Mountlake Terrace Police Department on March 27 reviewed a proposed interlocal agreement that would allow the city to use the Lynnwood Jail for certain detainees as an option alongside Snohomish County Jail. Commander King told council the agreement would be limited primarily to misdemeanor bookings and is intended to provide a nearby option that can save officer hours and reduce transports.

Commander King summarized comparative costs and operational differences. He said Lynnwood’s booking fee is $100 and its daily housing rate is $192; Snohomish County’s listed booking fee (as presented in the packet) was read aloud as about $1,047.19 and its daily rate $204. The Lynnwood agreement also includes a courtroom video fee of $100 and on-site medical staff, which the commander said could reduce hospital transports for intoxicated arrestees. Commander King said the net fiscal difference is minimal in many cases but that the Lynnwood option can save officer time and provide logistical benefits for domestic-violence proceedings.

Council members asked about facility capacity, length-of-stay limits and liability. Commander King said he toured the Lynnwood facility and described it as newly expanded and that once a detainee is in Lynnwood custody, facility responsibility (including liability) transfers to Lynnwood. Councilmember Murray confirmed that Lynnwood is primarily for misdemeanor bookings and that felony arrests would still go to the county jail.

Council agreed the interlocal agreement will be placed on the April 17 consent agenda for formal action after review. No formal approval occurred on March 27.