Council approves interlocal agreements with DSHS for Western State Hospital support after funding discrepancy clarified

The Lakewood City Council on Monday approved motion 2025-46 to enter interlocal agreements with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to support police services for Western State Hospital and a community partnership program.

Council member Branstetter raised a discrepancy in the draft contract, noting that the legislature had authorized $640,000 over two years for the community partnership program but a line in the DSHS form stated a $622,000 maximum for Lakewood. “I’m concerned that without resolving that discrepancy … we don’t want a discrepancy of an amount we don’t want,” Branstetter said.

Interim City Manager Krause and staff called the $622,000 figure a scrivener’s error on the form and said the itemization on the subsequent page correctly showed $640,000 — $320,000 per year — as the authorized amount. Krause told council the city would not sign the agreement until the discrepancy is resolved.

The motion (2025-46) was moved by Council member Branstetter and seconded by Council member Pearson and was adopted by voice vote. Council discussion clarified that the $90,000 police services contract for Western State Hospital and the $640,000 biennial community partnership allocation were the intended funding levels, and staff said they would confirm and reconcile the contract language with DSHS before final signature.

No changes to city budget authority were made at the meeting; the vote authorized the interim city manager to execute the agreements once contract language is corrected and the parties confirm the intended funding amounts.