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Oak Harbor authorizes interlocal agreement with Lynnwood jail for overflow inmate housing
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the Lynnwood jail to provide pay-per-day inmate housing options in addition to the city's existing contract with SCORE in Des Moines; council said the agreement offers flexibility and could reduce transit time and staff hours.
The Oak Harbor City Council on Feb. 4 authorized the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the Lynnwood jail to add flexible, pay-per-day inmate housing options for the city's police department.
Captain Barton of the Oak Harbor Police Department described the city's existing arrangements and rationale for the agreement. He said the department has used Island County and Skagit County jails for overnight holds and maintains a long-term contract with the SCORE jail facility in Des Moines for guaranteed bed space and for inmates with higher medical or mental-health needs. "When looking at this, the police department has identified that entering into a new housing agreement with regional jails would be advantageous to us and the city," Captain Barton said, explaining the Lynnwood facility would provide a lower-cost, pay-per-day option for general-population housing and help reduce transit and staff time.
Captain Barton told the council the police department budgets about $435,000 annually for jail services and that there would be no standing cost to maintain the Lynnwood agreement because fees would be charged per user. He said the Lynnwood facility would be used in addition to, not in place of, the city's contract with SCORE.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. Mayor Pro Tem asked whether people already housed under the SCORE contract would be moved; Barton said no and that SCORE continues to provide guaranteed beds for people requiring higher care. Councilmember Wiesner described the Lynnwood option as a "tool in the toolbox" for overflow or short-term holds and noted travel time differences between facilities. Councilmember Romero said he strongly supported the agreement and observed that shorter travel distances would increase long-term efficiency.
Councilmember Romero moved to authorize the mayor to sign the interlocal agreement with the Lynnwood jail for jail services; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
No public comments were received in advance of the meeting on this agreement.
