Board adopts resolution to allow sheriff to extend Humane Society contract while negotiations continue; approves negotiated jail cost framework

Jason Loreen, county legal counsel, told the board that continuing negotiations with the Humane Society of Southwest Washington raised potential litigation concerns and recommended a single county point of contact. Loreen recommended the sheriff continue as the county’s negotiator and provided a draft resolution to permit an extension of the existing 2024 contract so services could continue while negotiations moved forward.

Loreen said the Humane Society would only accept an extension through Feb. 15 and that county action was necessary for continuity of services. The Board moved to adopt the resolution permitting the county to execute a short addendum to the 2024 contract; the chair called for the vote and the board recorded "Aye" votes and adopted the resolution (the meeting transcript records two affirmative "Aye" responses and an absent or out‑of‑room member). Loreen said he would provide the signed document so the sheriff could have formal authority to continue negotiations.

Loreen and Undersheriff Handy also discussed jail‑use compensation. Loreen summarized a proposed framework the board had discussed previously: if the county halts use of the jail facilities, the county would lock in a baseline payment of $111,000 per year under a multi‑year contract, with an upper range the board previously discussed up to about $170,000 in a higher‑service option for a three‑year duration. Undersheriff Handy said that framework would be acceptable; the board noted the county would assume costs associated with citizen drop‑offs under that arrangement.

Ending

The board adopted the resolution to permit a short extension and authorized the sheriff to continue negotiations as the county’s single point of contact; further contract details and the addendum were to be executed and presented to the board for form and record.