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Lewiston, Nez Perce County approve updated prosecution services agreement with 33% price increase
Summary
City and county governing bodies approved a renewed joint powers agreement assigning state-code misdemeanor and traffic prosecution to the Nez Perce County Prosecutor's Office, increasing the city's annual payment to about $153,660.55 from $115,398.
Lewiston City Council and the Nez Perce County Commission approved a renewed joint powers agreement on June 17, 2025, transferring routine state-code misdemeanor and traffic prosecution within Lewiston to the Nez Perce County Prosecutor's Office and increasing the city’s contract payment. The council voted in favor after a motion and roll-call process; the county sign-off was presented for the county's consideration as well.
City Attorney Jennifer Siano told the joint meeting the contract is essentially a restatement of the long-standing arrangement under which the county prosecutes felonies and the city historically paid for misdemeanor prosecutions within city limits. "The city pays for those services…traditionally the equivalent of 1 prosecutor or a deputy prosecutor and 1 half staff member," Siano said, describing staffing and resource responsibilities under the agreement.
The agreement submitted for approval raises the city's annual payment by roughly 33% to $153,660.55 to cover the cost of a deputy prosecutor, a half-time staff member and associated operating costs; fiscal year 2025 the city paid $115,398. The contract also includes an annual automatic adjustment tied to a formula negotiated by the parties.
Councilor Spickmeyer asked how the new total was calculated; Jennifer Siano and county representatives said the county derived it from the deputy prosecutor and staff salary and benefits plus operating costs. The county official present noted the arrangement allows the city to focus more of its in-house legal resources on civil matters and leverages the county’s criminal prosecution expertise and victim-services capacity.
The council moved and seconded approval; the meeting record shows a roll-call and recorded ayes including Council President Hubert and Councilor Stigler. The motion passed by voice/roll-call and was entered for the city’s action. County approval and final execution were described as the remaining steps.
Officials said the agreement will remain in effect until canceled or renegotiated under the contract’s annual adjustment clause. The city attorney said she will circulate the negotiated agreement to the parties and post it once finalized.
