Olympia council directs staff to negotiate interlocal agreement with Thurston County for judicial services

Olympia — The Olympia City Council voted unanimously April 22 to direct staff to begin negotiating an interlocal agreement with Thurston County for judicial services, jail alternatives and supervised probation, a step staff and council framed as a response to the city’s long-term budget and capital constraints.

Assistant City Manager Debbie Sullivan presented the proposal, telling the council, “This is a hard place to be, and I sincerely wish we weren't here.” Sullivan said staff considered three relocation models — leasing commercial space, repurposing city-owned buildings, or contracting with Thurston County — and recommended pursuing negotiations with the county because it had the smallest projected impact on the general fund.

Sullivan summarized the fiscal and program context for the proposal. The city has been evaluating options since entering an exclusive negotiation and later a purchase-and-sale agreement for the Lee Creighton Justice Center property at 900 Plum Street. A 2022 Justice Center master plan estimated a full replacement cost in 2023 dollars at roughly $89–$94 million; Sullivan said rebuilding even without a jail would be “north of $50,000,000” with annual debt service of about…