County staff seek four‑year contract for law‑enforcement psychological exams; DOC housing renewal discussed

Sheriff’s office staff asked the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners on June 3 to approve two contracts: a four‑year agreement with a contracted psychologist who performs mandatory psychological evaluations for firearms‑qualified staff, and a renewal of an intergovernmental housing contract with the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC).

County presenters said the psychologist contract would run up to four years with a total not to exceed $140,000 and an annual cap of $35,000, reflecting an ongoing $700 per evaluation rate. “The RCW lays out who is required to do this, and the Washington administrative code lays out what questions that Dr. Sauer is mandated to ask during that evaluation,” a sheriff’s office staff member said, explaining the legal basis for the required examinations.

Sheriff’s office staff said the psychological exams are required under 2021 state police‑reform changes and that the…