Lewiston council approves one-year sheriff contract after county requests rate increase

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a one-year contract with the county sheriff's office that raises the hourly contract rate to $56.

Sheriff Jensen presented the contract proposal and a year-to-date summary of local enforcement activity as he urged the council to approve the new rate. "Currently, so far this year in Lewiston, we have 326 calls for service," Jensen said, adding that the county expects about 435 calls if that pace continues. "I'm proposing to the city ... that we keep the contract hours the same, but move the rate to 56 rather than 52.35," Jensen said.

The sheriff described operational changes in patrol and said directed patrols had reduced nuisance calls such as trespass and vandalism while increasing traffic citations valleywide. He also reviewed animal-services figures, saying Lewiston has had 16 impounds so far this year and that most impounded animals are reclaimed by owners or adopted.

Council members moved and seconded a motion to accept the proposed one-year contract. The council conducted a roll-call vote; the meeting transcript records affirmative votes from Fizz, John, Ned, Brooke and Jana. The mayor announced the motion carried unanimously.

Council members said the increase will be incorporated into next year’s budget. The sheriff noted the county is adjusting rates to respond to regional hiring pressures and recommended a one-year contract under the new rate while intergovernmental staffing and finance changes are finalized.

The contract was placed on the agenda with time for members to review terms prior to the vote. No amendments to the contract were made during the meeting.

The council thanked Sheriff Jensen and county staff for the presentation and for the services provided under the contract.