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Council approves five‑year contract with Riverside County Sheriff; council member seeks patrol-hour increase during budget review
Summary
The council approved an agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services (item 16) by a 4‑0 vote; councilmembers said adjustments to patrol hours can be considered when the city budget is reviewed.
The Lake Elsinore City Council voted 4‑0 to approve a multi‑year agreement with the County of Riverside Sheriff's Department to provide law enforcement services to the city (consent calendar item 16). Mayor Pro Tem McGee moved to approve the contract and Councilmember Manos seconded; Councilmember Sheridan and Councilmember Manos voted yes; Councilmember Johnson was absent.
During public comment, speakers criticized the agreement and county practices. A speaker identifying as Levi Chacon (from Murrieta) called on the council to fund social services rather than police and urged the city to declare a sanctuary city; another resident, Leo Zoller (Lake Elsinore), criticized policing policies and said he would build a public presence around the issue. The council responded by noting both support for the sheriff’s contract and an ongoing local effort to address public‑safety staffing levels within the upcoming budget process.
Councilman (name listed in transcript as) Maguire said he supports the contract but noted the council was being asked to act before the budget is finalized; he said he will ask colleagues to consider adding patrol hours in the proposed budget and sought two weeks’ notice for discussion. City staff said the contract expires June 30 and that adopting the contract now allows staff to seek timely adoption by the Board of Supervisors; staff also said the contract can be amended later with Board approval.
Assistant city staff described additions to city policing resources in recent years: a deputy added to the burglary suppression team last year, a dedicated park deputy for homeless outreach in the prior year, and another additional officer this year (described in the staff remarks as an added “voter officer”). The council approved the contract with the understanding that the budget subcommittee and staff will revisit staffing and patrol‑hour requests as part of the budget process.
The motion carried 4‑0; the city manager and budget subcommittee will review patrol‑hour needs and possible contract amendments during the budget cycle.
