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Depoe Bay Council Authorizes Negotiations With Lincoln County Sheriff for Second Deputy
Summary
The Depoe Bay City Council voted 5–1 to authorize staff to begin negotiations with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to secure a second deputy. Councilors debated cost, scheduling under the sheriff's union contract, and funding sources before approving the direction to negotiate terms and return with a draft contract for formal approval.
The Depoe Bay City Council voted 5–1 to instruct staff to begin negotiations with the Lincoln County Sheriff to secure a second full-time deputy to increase local law enforcement presence.
Councilors said the move was prompted by residents' concerns about daytime and weekend coverage during tourist season. Supporters cited the council's available tourism-related funds and the desire for more visible patrols; opponents cautioned the town should confirm long-term affordability and scheduling controls before committing to another contract.
The motion authorized staff to present the council's desired schedule and terms to the sheriff and to negotiate a draft agreement. Council discussion repeatedly returned to how deputies' work hours are assigned under the sheriff's union contract: deputies bid for preferred shifts and schedules are subject to union rules. Council members were told the sheriff's office can present a schedule request and the union's bidding process determines who accepts those shifts.
City staff told the council the proposed position would not automatically guarantee specific hours unless deputies bid for them; the council was advised it could request a six-month scheduling pilot to change coverage every six months. Staff also said the sheriff had indicated a possible buyback or credit option could be negotiated as part of contract talks.
On funding, staff reported the town has tourism-related receipts (Transient Room Tax) that have been budgeted in part for the general fund and said the current fiscal reports show the city is not yet near spending the budgeted totals; councilors nonetheless debated whether general-fund and program-specific restrictions might limit use of certain dollars for law enforcement.
The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Councilor Watson, Councilor Sovereign, Mayor Short, Councilor Poland and Councilor Beezing voted yes; Councilor Wright voted no. The council directed staff to request a draft contract from the sheriff's office and return with the agreement for the council's formal approval before any funds are committed.
Next steps: staff will present a draft agreement from the sheriff, including proposed schedule options and any proposed buyback/credit language, and the council must approve a final contract before any new deputy is placed under town funding.
