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Council considers interlocal agreement with Yakima County for jail housing; staff says it could lower per‑day costs
Summary
Staff presented an interlocal agreement option with Yakima County Department of Corrections that would provide a lower‑cost bed option for longer inmate commitments, including female inmates and medical/mental health housing. Council moved the authorization to execute the ILA; the transcript does not record the final formal vote.
Acting Police Chief Tracy presented an interlocal agreement proposal with Yakima County Department of Corrections on March 18, telling councilors the contract would give North Bend and Snoqualmie another lower‑cost option to house long‑term inmates.
Chief Tracy summarized current options and daily rates shown in the agenda bill. The packet compared current costs for long‑term housing: Issaquah ($150/day plus a $20 booking fee), Sunnyside (about $68.99/day, no booking fee), and King County (examples in the packet included $273.39/day and $204.97/day depending on program). Yakima’s proposal would be a non‑guaranteed bed arrangement with transport provided and a base rate of $125/day; Yakima can also provide housing with on‑site medical and mental‑health services at approximately $172/day, Tracy said. Yakima’s facility will house female inmates as well as males, which staff said fills a gap for lower‑cost housing for female long‑term commits.
Council member Christina Rustic moved the motion authorizing the mayor to execute and administer an ILA with Yakima County Department of Corrections; a second was recorded from Council member Alan Gautel. The meeting transcript records the motion and the second but does not show a recorded roll‑call vote in the public meeting audio available in the packet.
Ending: Council debated the financial benefits of the Yakima option and acknowledged the logistical considerations of transport and bed availability. The agenda bill was moved and seconded; staff will proceed with the ILA paperwork subject to standard review by the city attorney. The final motion outcome was not recorded in the portion of the meeting transcript provided.
