Yamhill County approves updated bed‑rental agreement with U.S. Marshals Service over objections about ICE language and liability

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on May 1 approved a new bed‑rental agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service that raises the county's per‑bed daily reimbursement to $140 and replaces an older 2005 contract. The motion passed 2‑1, with Chair Johnston and Commissioner Starett voting aye and Commissioner King voting nay.

The vote followed extended discussion about whether the agreement, as first circulated, included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an authorized user and whether that inclusion would conflict with Oregon's sanctuary law. Two public commenters urged the board to postpone approval until the county and community could review the final text and the legal risks; the sheriff told the board the copy before commissioners did not include ICE.

Why this matters: The change increases the county's ability to bill federal authorities for housing federal detainees at what the sheriff described as the jail's current daily cost. Commissioners and members of the public said they were concerned about legal exposure, the speed of the turnaround on the draft contract, and the lack of earlier public notice.

Sheriff comments and rate change Sheriff (Yamhill County Sheriff) told the board the county's longstanding arrangement with the U.S. Marshals Service functions as a bed‑rental…